Romans 12, part 2 - BE 3 and Get Joy!

I am a little concerned, there is too much good stuff, so buckle your seat belts people this is going to be a long one. Hahahaha just kidding, well maybe not we will see at the end of this post now won't we.

The rest of Romans 12 tells us how to live a Christian life. Here are three ways that we can be a living sacrifice pleasing unto God and Get Joy!

Be Humble

³ 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.

God wants us to start off on the right foot now doesn't He?! Before we start acting on our faith we need to make sure our attitude is right. God wants us to be humble not puffed up. He wants us to patient and not quick to judge. He wants us to have a clear understanding of where we are at with Him and not where we "think" we are. Remember we are always a work in progress, nobody has figured it all out perfectly on this earth. We need the grace and mercy of Jesus everyday!

Be Using Your Gifts

⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

Everyone has unique gifts and talents that God has given to us. I love the word picture of the "body" to help us understand that we are all working together as a unit. An arm can not work separate from the body nor could the leg. We need all our parts working together to work the best that we possibly can. Side note, John's brother always called him the ingrown toenail of the body of Christ. You know the annoying part. Heehehehhehe I thought it was funny.

What are some of the different gifts? Paul gives us a list. Ask God today what your gift is and then find a way to use it to help the 'body' of Christ. Remember to also do our best at it with the right attitude always.
prophesying
serving
encourage
giving
leading
showing mercy

Be About Love
Being a Christ follower is more than just believing it is acting that belief though sincere love, clinging to goodness, being devoted to others, honoring others, zealous, having spiritual fervor, serving the Lord, being JOYFUL in hope, patient when it is tough, faithful in prayer, sharing with those in need, practicing hospitality, blessing those who are mean to you, rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn, being in harmony with others, being humble (just in case you missed the first part), being a servant, doing what is right, being peaceful and if that isn't enough also don't forget to love your enemies!

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Whew what a list! Now before you think this is impossible and chuck it all out the window; remember God is with us. He will give us the strength and ability to do the things listed above. We could never do this on our own. That is why when we come to know him and have a relationship with Him...He can do some pretty amazing things in our lives. We are becoming a living sacrifice unto God....how awesome is that!

Be humble, be using the gifts God has given you and be about love and watch as you...
GET JOY!