Our Faith, Tested But Enduring.
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, please help us to stay strong in our faith as we are buffeted by the world and help us to keep our eyes on you.
READ: Roman 12:1-2 (NIV)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Roman 12:1-2 (NIV)
REFLECT:
In his writings to the Romans, the Apostle Paul lays out what we, as God’s followers should do. Offer our bodies, meaning ourselves, as a living sacrifice. Paul would eventually die for his beliefs, tortured because he was an unrepentant Christian.
Jesus offered his body as a living sacrifice for our sins. Those who he had preached a message of kindness and love turned their back on him. In Matthew 27:22 Pilate asked the crowd ““What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They all answered, “Crucify him!” When he could have called on God his Father to strike down those who were hurting him, he did not. This is because he was strong in the faith that though there would be persecution and difficulties, God’s will would prevail. That He would rise from the grave and command his followers to spread the word of his death and resurrection.
APPLY:
Take these two examples of staying strong and believing in the word of God and let it be an inspiration in your life. Faith in God can sustain us when we are shaken by the world or tempted into sin. Trust in his word.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord our God, every day we are challenged by the world we live in and the acts of Satan. Please help us to remain steadfast in our commitment as Christians to live out your holy word and be an example of your love and goodness. Amen.