Ok so I thought I would try to handle two blogs. It just didn't work. I will combine the best of both and only maintain one blog at moldedtoworship. Thank you for visiting this site and reading. Join me at moldedtoworship and let's continue our discussion on sin and a life of Worship to our King Jesus Christ.
God Bless
Thursday, October 23, 2008
MetamorphoO
I have been studying Romans 12 for the past week or so, because I was asked to teach Sunday school this week. As I have studied and listened to other messages about Romans, and one thing has become evident, Sin must be overcome, and we must be transformed into the likeness of Christ! Chapter 12, verses 1-2 speak about how we are to be transformed from our old selves and become a new creation in Christ. The greek word "MetamorphoO" is used for this description of the word "transformed". Usually in the english language, we use this word "transformed" to relate to a physical change. But Paul uses it in context of a "total transformation" much like a caterpillar being transformed into a butterfly. Everything that we are, is changed, and we start to become more like Christ.
Paul brings this point of view, you are either conformed into the likeness of the world and all that it is, or you become like Christ, it cannot be both ways. When we offer our bodies as "living sacrifices" as verse 1 says, there are also two sides to this, general and specific.
Generally we offer our bodies to God and say, "Ok God here I am, use me, here is my body, lead me.
And specifically, when God says, I want you to be a living sacrifice to the lost and tell them about me and share the good news with them, and I want you to be a living sacrifice and serve the body of Christ.
When we can begin to understand that we are to be transformed (MetamorphoO), into the image of Christ, and not be conformed any longer by this world, then we will begin to live our lives as God intended. Set apart, redeemed, and justified.
"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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." Romans 12:1-2
Paul brings this point of view, you are either conformed into the likeness of the world and all that it is, or you become like Christ, it cannot be both ways. When we offer our bodies as "living sacrifices" as verse 1 says, there are also two sides to this, general and specific.
Generally we offer our bodies to God and say, "Ok God here I am, use me, here is my body, lead me.
And specifically, when God says, I want you to be a living sacrifice to the lost and tell them about me and share the good news with them, and I want you to be a living sacrifice and serve the body of Christ.
When we can begin to understand that we are to be transformed (MetamorphoO), into the image of Christ, and not be conformed any longer by this world, then we will begin to live our lives as God intended. Set apart, redeemed, and justified.
"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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." Romans 12:1-2
Thursday, October 9, 2008
learning
I find it ironic, that as I felt the need to bring about a discussion of sin and how to deal with it within this blog, it ends up being the very thing I learn about in school this past week. I had no idea we would be diving into this subject at this time, but as we have, I am learning some interesting stuff. I will gather my thoughts and bring them here, lay them out, and hopefully you will take some of them to heart.
I will share this though, In his book, ""Exploring Our Christian Faith", W.T. Purkiser says this about sin and man.
"Clearly implied in the temptation and sin of Adam and Eve are theological insights of key importance. It is seen here that sin is not part of essential human nature. It is an intrusion in human experience. Adam and Eve did not become human when they disobeyed God: if anything, they became less than they were created to be. Jesus Christ was perfectly human in everything humanity was meant to be-yet He was "holy, harmless, unstained, separated from sinners" (Heb. 7:26. RSV), free from the taint of sin. SIn is not to be found in man's physical nature, nor in the finiteness of his psyche. It is a foreign element, a condition subject to cure by divine grace."
After reading this, I have to pause and ask myself, am I doing everything I can to be what God intended me to be? Am I addressing this foreign element, and purging it from my being?
Are you?
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
I will share this though, In his book, ""Exploring Our Christian Faith", W.T. Purkiser says this about sin and man.
"Clearly implied in the temptation and sin of Adam and Eve are theological insights of key importance. It is seen here that sin is not part of essential human nature. It is an intrusion in human experience. Adam and Eve did not become human when they disobeyed God: if anything, they became less than they were created to be. Jesus Christ was perfectly human in everything humanity was meant to be-yet He was "holy, harmless, unstained, separated from sinners" (Heb. 7:26. RSV), free from the taint of sin. SIn is not to be found in man's physical nature, nor in the finiteness of his psyche. It is a foreign element, a condition subject to cure by divine grace."
After reading this, I have to pause and ask myself, am I doing everything I can to be what God intended me to be? Am I addressing this foreign element, and purging it from my being?
Are you?
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Original Sin
I thought I would pas along something I read in class tonight, let me know what you think.
...............
Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, all subsequent human beings have been born in depravity. We are all affected by what theologians call “original sin.”
All human beings are sinful beings. People by themselves, not only bring forth bad fruit; they are bad trees (See Matthew 7:18).
People are born in total depravity. This does not mean that all humans are as corrupt as possible, nor that all are equally sinful in all respects, but that . . .
· every part of a person’s being is affected by sin.
· people have problems at the very center of their being.
· people are unable, in themselves, to please God.
This is not good. Because we are in sin, we deserve God’s wrath (his righteous anger, his punishment).
Romans 1:18 states that “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of (people) who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
What are your reactions to this thought?
...............
Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, all subsequent human beings have been born in depravity. We are all affected by what theologians call “original sin.”
All human beings are sinful beings. People by themselves, not only bring forth bad fruit; they are bad trees (See Matthew 7:18).
People are born in total depravity. This does not mean that all humans are as corrupt as possible, nor that all are equally sinful in all respects, but that . . .
· every part of a person’s being is affected by sin.
· people have problems at the very center of their being.
· people are unable, in themselves, to please God.
This is not good. Because we are in sin, we deserve God’s wrath (his righteous anger, his punishment).
Romans 1:18 states that “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of (people) who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
What are your reactions to this thought?
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