As with most camps, each year we have a theme. This year, rather than having a single Bible verse, we followed Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life." Each day we had a different theme- fellowship, discipleship, service, evangelism and worship. As part of our nightly afterglow session, we discussed, in reference to service and evangelism, how served people serve people and found people find people. With this in mind, we had a foot washing service. It was such a beautiful and Spirit-filled experience to humble myself before God and serve His children.
God definitely spoke to me in all of these, but worship as a lifestyle shook me to my core. I love to praise God. I love to sing, to dance, to give Him all the glory, but am I doing that in all aspects of my life? Am I approaching each moment of my day with the intention of glorifying Christ or merely getting through the day, with my own selfish desires in mind? Now, don't get me wrong, worshipping as the Body of Christ is so incredibly important as a Christian, but how about the actions and worship that take place outside of the building?
Romans 12: 1, 2 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. 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.
We have heard this a hundred times, do not be comformed to this world. We sometimes do just enough to feel as though we are doing better than others, but that in itself is being of the world. Sure, we may not partake in drinking or listening to ungodly music, but what about our absence as Christians? What about the widow who we see every day, struggling to make ends meet? What about the student that is constantly being bullied and a blind eye is turned? Jesus Christ, the One True King, came to earth as God in the flesh, not to be served, but to serve. Are we better than he?
Hebrews 13:15-16 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
In both Romans and Hebrews, we see a talk of sacrifice, a living sacrifice, a continual sacrifice. Throughout my study at GBI, I have learned that sometimes the best way to understand the Bible is to look at the text's opposite. The opposite of life is death. When we die in the flesh, that life ceases to exist. In contrast, we will live in Christ, we continue onward as a new creation, making a conscious descision, an intentional daily commitment. We must never stop sacrficing for the LORD. We must give up what it is we want and do what it is He wants.
Romans 12:9-21 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
There it is- who we are to be as Christians. Every essence of our being should be devoted to serving Christ and worshipping Him in every single aspect of our life. He knows we aren't perfect, nor does He ever expect us to be, but through prayer and study of His Word, we can become more and more like Christ. When we cease to worship, we cease to live.
We have heard this a hundred times, do not be comformed to this world. We sometimes do just enough to feel as though we are doing better than others, but that in itself is being of the world. Sure, we may not partake in drinking or listening to ungodly music, but what about our absence as Christians? What about the widow who we see every day, struggling to make ends meet? What about the student that is constantly being bullied and a blind eye is turned? Jesus Christ, the One True King, came to earth as God in the flesh, not to be served, but to serve. Are we better than he?
Hebrews 13:15-16 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
In both Romans and Hebrews, we see a talk of sacrifice, a living sacrifice, a continual sacrifice. Throughout my study at GBI, I have learned that sometimes the best way to understand the Bible is to look at the text's opposite. The opposite of life is death. When we die in the flesh, that life ceases to exist. In contrast, we will live in Christ, we continue onward as a new creation, making a conscious descision, an intentional daily commitment. We must never stop sacrficing for the LORD. We must give up what it is we want and do what it is He wants.
Romans 12:9-21 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
There it is- who we are to be as Christians. Every essence of our being should be devoted to serving Christ and worshipping Him in every single aspect of our life. He knows we aren't perfect, nor does He ever expect us to be, but through prayer and study of His Word, we can become more and more like Christ. When we cease to worship, we cease to live.
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