I urge you therefore, my brothers and sisters, by the mercies
of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2
I am grateful for the privilege of being able to sit with a dozen or so men who love to talk about God…
of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2
I am grateful for the privilege of being able to sit with a dozen or so men who love to talk about God…
...and want to learn more about Him. Being one of the congregation's teachers and having been in this particular fellowship for more than six years, I can attest to the genuine spiritual hunger and love they have for their Lord Jesus Christ, and for the Scriptures too.
Beginning last week, for instance, we began a study of Romans 12:1-2 in the New Testament, where the writer of the book of Romans tells us to present our bodies as "living sacrifices" unto God. We therefore set out to discuss and explore just what this may entail. I titled the lesson, God's Pattern for Living.
While this week we continued with our study, we now looked at what I believe is a passage that ties in well with the call of becoming a "living sacrifice." In the apostle Peter's second letter to the churches scattered everywhere, which I told the men also included us today, there is a list of attributes that are necessary to have in order to live a life that is pleasing to God.
So we looked at 2 Peter 1:1-11 as our main text. Here, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote that God has already given to those who have placed their faith in His Son all we need to live a victorious life while living in the world. He then went on to list these things, urging us to make sure we included all of them.
Therefore, the qualities and attributes that should be added to our faith as we mature in our walk with the Lord are: "virtue" which is moral excellence, knowledge of the Lord, temperance which is self-discipline, and patience. Also, "godliness" which is having an honorable character, along with brotherly kindness, and "charity," which is love.
"The Lord has given us plenty to work with,” I told them. "He has provided us with everything we need to live for Him, and to be successful in whatever He has called us to do."
D.B.
Beginning last week, for instance, we began a study of Romans 12:1-2 in the New Testament, where the writer of the book of Romans tells us to present our bodies as "living sacrifices" unto God. We therefore set out to discuss and explore just what this may entail. I titled the lesson, God's Pattern for Living.
While this week we continued with our study, we now looked at what I believe is a passage that ties in well with the call of becoming a "living sacrifice." In the apostle Peter's second letter to the churches scattered everywhere, which I told the men also included us today, there is a list of attributes that are necessary to have in order to live a life that is pleasing to God.
So we looked at 2 Peter 1:1-11 as our main text. Here, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote that God has already given to those who have placed their faith in His Son all we need to live a victorious life while living in the world. He then went on to list these things, urging us to make sure we included all of them.
Therefore, the qualities and attributes that should be added to our faith as we mature in our walk with the Lord are: "virtue" which is moral excellence, knowledge of the Lord, temperance which is self-discipline, and patience. Also, "godliness" which is having an honorable character, along with brotherly kindness, and "charity," which is love.
"The Lord has given us plenty to work with,” I told them. "He has provided us with everything we need to live for Him, and to be successful in whatever He has called us to do."
D.B.
