ROMANS 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:1-8
ROMANS 12 SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When we were chosen to be children of God
We were equipped with all that we need to grow
We were given the word of God so we can have a guide
It is a set of instructions to make us see and follow the light
We do not need to conform to all the systems of this world
Instead, we need to be changed by the renewal of our minds
Let us discipline our bodies, hearts, minds, souls and spirits
Let us cling to what is true, what is pure and what is right.
Paul reminds the church about the importance of spiritual discipline in this letter to the Romans. I am sure that even at that time in history, many people focus more on physical training rather than think of the mental and spiritual aspects of life. After all, the Greeks at that time were very concerned with their physical and strength training as they competed in many athletic endeavors. They began the Olympics, always aiming for being the best in their chosen field. Even in our world today, many men and women invest in gym memberships and are conscious about nutrition to keep their bodies in optimum health but neglect the mental and spiritual part of their being. I am not saying that priorities on the physical biological features of their bodies are not important, but in many cases, people neglect the mental and spiritual disciplines needed to live fuller lives.
Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline in this letter because the unseen parts of our being are usually neglected or forgotten. What many people don’t realize is that if our minds and hearts are not synchronized with God’s design for it, we will surely fail in living a life for the Lord. This is why Paul advises Christians not to conform with the world because it doesn’t account for the mind and spirit.
REFLECTION
· Share some spiritual disciplines that you follow that have worked for you as a Christian.
