Holy habits enable a holy life

Sunday morning we looked at Romans 12:3-8.  A companion passage is found in I Corinthians 12, where we see in verses 6-7: “And there diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”  Verses 8-10 is a listing of various spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit.  And then in verse 11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”  

The Kingdom of God needs all the parts of the body of Christ operating for the “profit of all.”  And all this profit will come about because “God who works all in all.”  This is done in our own strength or wisdom, but by the plan and power of God — all for the glory of God.  I have heard the following from various people over the years: “Why should I work in the church; what have they done for me?”  Remember, this isn’t for the local church or pastor, but for the Lord God who saved and is in the process (hopefully) of transforming your life.  And part of that transformation is seeing people as God does, and reacting to them as God does — in love, a self-sacrificial love for their good, even if it costs you.  

I really encourage you to read this whole chapter (slowly) and see the picture God is laying out for how the body of Christ works.  The sort of it is that each part of the body of Christ does what God has gifted it to do.  Many times, because some members of the body don’t fulfill their role, others in the body have to operate outside their gifting to pick up the slack and not major in doing what God has called them to do.  And what is the key to wanting to fulfill your role?  It is not duty, but devotion.  Not duty to God or to the church, but devotion to God and to others.  Look at the very last verse: “But earnestly desire the best gifts.  And yet I show you a more excellent way.”  What is this “more excellent way?”  Read chapter 13,  what we many times call “The Love Chapter.”  It is often read at weddings, but it is written about relationships within the church, towards others in the church that grow out of your love for God.  

So what holy practice that leads to holy habits that enable a holy life do you find here?  Practice loving others and God and you will want to live out your spiritual gifts for the building up of the church and for the glory of God.  In light of the “blackboard” illustration today, if you are finding it hard to do what God has written for you to do, then the missing key to move you into action is LOVE — love of God and love of others.  Let’s work on this, this week.

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor