To engage is “to involve oneself in or commit to something; to pledge oneself; to assume an obligation or responsibility; to enter into conflict.” A God-centered, Christ-saturated, Spirit-led life requires discernment, adoption, renewal, and engagement. Functioning as “living sacrifices” (Rom 12:1-2) is all about engaging for the glory of God.
Romans 12 quickly moves from straightforward divine expectation (12:1-2) into the realm of practical application. What does a living sacrifice look like? What is the face of transformed engagement?
- Let love be genuine (12:9)
- Abhor what is evil (12:9)
- Hold fast to what is good (12:9)
- Love one another with brotherly affection (12:10)
- Outdo one another in showing honor (12:10)
- Do not be slothful in zeal (12:11)
- Be fervent in spirit (12:11)
- Serve the Lord (12:11)
- Rejoice in hope (12:12)
- Be patient in tribulation (12:12)
- Be constant in prayer (12:12)
- Contribute to the needs of the saints (12:13)
- Seek to show hospitality (12:13)
- Bless those who persecute you (12:14)
- Rejoice with those who rejoice (12:15)
- Weep with those who weep (12:15)
- Live in harmony with one another (12:16)
- Do not be haughty (12:16)
- Associate with the lowly (12:16)
- Never be wise in your own sight (12:16)
- Repay no one evil for evil (12:17)
- Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all (12:17)
- So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (12:18)
- Never avenge yourselves (12:19)
- If your enemy is in need, provide for them (12:20)
- Do not be overcome by evil; overcome evil with good (12:21)
With the goal of transformation into the image of Christ, this sermon encourages the taking of some honest inventory. Are you engaging as a living sacrifice for the glory of God?
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