Tag Archives: the book of Romans

June 23
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“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”  (Romans 12:3, NIV)

It is a regrettable fact of human nature that we inflate our self-worth, and that we devalue the worth of others.  It is particularly regrettable because, most of the time, we get it wrong way ’round.

Having God’s point of view means not only seeing others as God sees them, but seeing ourselves as God sees us: Vices as well as virtues.  Evaluating ourselves with “sober judgment” is a painful exercise, but it is an essential exercise if we have ambitions of being like Jesus.  – Luther

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June 22
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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.”  (Romans 12:1, NIV)

Today’s scripture reminds us our “true and proper worship” consists of self-sacrifice.  Not a heroic “all-in once for all” sacrifice, but a common “all-in each day” sacrifice for every right, holy, and good thing.

To “offer our bodies” makes our sacrifice personal.  We can put in time without engaging our mind.  We can give our thoughts without giving the hands and feet that make lofty thoughts a reality.  The presentation of our body is to deliver a complete package: Mind as well as muscle.

God is merciful.  Our thanksgiving for His mercy is worship.  Make your worship truly, and completely, personal.  – Luther

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March 22
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“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23, NKJV)

Perhaps the only state worse than wrong doing is wrong being.

We need to guard against becoming comfortable with a lifestyle that is contrary to God’s will and way.  This is what the Bible calls “sin.”

Oswald Chambers eloquently describes the peril of a conscience that is no longer troubled by wrong-doing: “One of the penalties of sin is our acceptance of it. It is not only God who punishes for sin, but sin establishes itself in the sinner and takes its toll. No struggling or praying will enable you to stop doing certain things, and the penalty of sin is that you gradually get used to it, until you finally come to the place where you no longer even realize that it is sin.”

Stay close to God through obedience to His scriptures, and through the spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation, and gathering with other members of the family of God for worship and fellowship.  If you persist in these things, you will develop a heart that is sensitive to what pleases God — and what does not.  This is the sure path to life, peace, and joy.   – Luther

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