Monday September 12
Dying Comes Before Knowing God’s Will
Many Christians sincerely seek to know God’s will for their lives. “If only I could know God’s will for my life, I would sacrifice everything for Him.” But even after promising God this, we still may be confused about what His will is. The reason for this confusion may be found in Romans 12:1, 2. Paul is describing how we can know God’s will, and he makes an important point: if you want to know what God’s will is, you have to sacrifice first!
Read Romans 12:1, 2. Paul writes that we will be able to “test and approve what God’s will is” (Rom. 12:2, NIV) when:
We have a true understanding of “God’s mercy” for us (Rom. 12:1, NIV).
We offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1).
Our minds are renewed (Rom. 12:2).
It is only the renewed mind that truly can understand God’s will. But this renewal hinges on our death to self first. It was not enough that Christ simply suffered for us — He had to die.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas in which you are not completely “dead.” What things does the Holy Spirit need you to give up in order for you to become a “living sacrifice” for God?
When areas of our lives are not completely dead to self, God permits crucibles to bring them to our attention. However, our suffering not only helps us confront our sin — it also gives us an insight into Jesus’ giving Himself up for us. Elisabeth Elliot writes, “The surrender of our heart’s deepest longing is perhaps as close as we come to an understanding of the cross … . our own experience of crucifixion, though immeasurably less than our Savior’s, nonetheless furnishes us with a chance to begin to know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings. In every form of our own suffering, He calls us to that fellowship.” — Quest for Love (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1996), p. 182.
Read and pray over Romans 12:1, 2. Think about the things you need to give up in order for you to become a sacrifice. How does this help you to understand the sufferings Jesus faced for you on the cross? How can this knowledge help you enter into fellowship with Jesus and His sufferings?
Speaking of Romans, let us look at Romans 8:1. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" NIV.
I share this because when I was first converted I asked a Baptist minister what version of the Bible should I buy. He told me the NIV. I still have that book today, but have not opened it for the last 30 years. Romans 8:1 is not the only verse that has been changed, or better yet, it is not the only significant verse that has been changed. What is wrong with following perverted truth? It leads to a perverted gospel and the loss of salvation for a multitude. Yes, have a little about the translation of a few versions, but I bought a KJV which I detested because of the old English. I now love it. And there are very few if more than one error in translation. If your faith is based on truth found in the Bible, then you want one that is the best you can find. Read Romans 8:1 from the KJV and share with youro class why Satan wanted the second part of Romans 8:1 deleted. Many, many professing Christians believe they are "in" Christ Jesus if they say they accpet Jesus has Savior. How do we know we are in Christ Jesus and not condemned? Do you know that when we surrender the whole heart to Jesus because we love Him with the whole heart, that the third person of the godhead takes possession of the heart, cleanses it from all sin and brings with Him all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one missing? It is true: "When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." Desire of Ages, pg 676.[/color]