Here is love, vast as an ocean, loving kindness as the flood.
”My Loving kindness is what has driven Me from the beginning in My relationship with My creation. It was mentioned in my covenant promises and has been picked up many times later in My word, especially the Psalms. It is so helpful to My children when they truly understand these words, not as mere words or concepts but in the reality of how I relate to all of you. I have, after all, demonstrated it by sending My Son to die on the cross for you personally. How much more will I share it in all My dealings with you all.”
Please read Romans 12:1-8. Last time we started looking at the manifestation of true worship being the offering of our whole bodies to serve and follow Jesus. We saw that crucial to this was the transformation and renewing of our minds. The next verse makes and interesting statement. Once our minds have been transformed we will be able to test God’s will for us.
In the tradition I came from originally this statement was taken to mean God would guide us be revealing the path He is going to take us on in the future. Of course that is not what it means. We need to know His will so that we can now how to live as new-born children of His, surrendering our bodies to Him.
His first concern is for His body, the church. The first step in the functioning of a healthy church lies in our attitude towards one another. In Philippians ch 2 Paul addresses this in great detail, but an attitude of true humility is the best oil for the church’s machine to run on. This starts with how we view ourselves, neither too highly nor too lowly, simply soberly. The starting point is the need to understand that each one of us is different. In Philippians Paul says we should consider others as better than ourselves. The greatest need for the church to function effectively is true unity between the members. The one factor that destroys unity is pride. It is in our fallen nature to subconsciously, instantly compare ourselves with the person you are dealing with. This has been measured by psychologists, who say this is the very first thought that flits through your mind when you interact with someone else. It takes an actively renewed mind to force a favourable evaluation of the person you are dealing with. But this is so important for developing healthy relationships. That is why Paul places this attitude at the head of the requirements of living with a renewed mind.
It also shows that, as important as it is that our lives must be transformed, the first place that should manifest itself in is the church. An effective church body is the place where God’s kingdom can best be manifest and where individual members can grow in faith and in service.
So what else has God done to oil the wheels of the church? Paul goes on to mention a number of gifts God gives for the effective running of any place where His body is active. This is an understanding which is perhaps hugely underemphasized today, other than in the Chrarismatic churches. Each member receives gifts to enable them to serve. From the apparently most menial tasks of service to the upper management. Each one of us finds the greatest joy and satisfaction if we are using our gifts for the benefit of the church. Paul gives a list of a few of the gifts there are many others too. He highlights here the importance of giving your full attention to using the gifts effectively and with commitment.
So friends how do you view yourself. I have to constantly remind myself that my pride is the greatest thing that separates me from true, close fellowship with God. And then secondly, are you using the gift(s) He has given you in your relationship with the body you worship in?