New Testament Challenge, Day 26 – Romans 9-16
For Saint Paul there is a required response, or at least the response should be expected considering the great gift that God has granted us, once we are baptized and enter the Household of God. For Saint Paul life must change after receiving the gift of life from Christ otherwise the gift is without value. This is our “reasonable service” to God, (Romans 12.1) that we should live no longer bound by the world but set free from sin by God.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12.2) But how many of us, especially during this season of Christmas shopping can truly say that we live a life free from the bondage of sin as Saint Paul urges us? For sure our society, at least en masse, has chosen to embrace the worldly drive for greater and greater wealth at the expense of our personal relationships not to say the loss of our communion with God. Can we admit to anything less than this reality when we choose to skip Church on Sunday for a good football game or to catch up on lost sleep because the Christmas party the night before was “a blast”?
Our actions will reveal our belief and if we believe in Christ, then we must strive to make our actions reflect that faith. And when we fall because we are weak, we must take heart because the Holy Spirit “also helps in our weakness.” (Romans 8.26)
Don’t forget Saint Paul’s underlying message: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Romans 1.16)
Be strong!
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