Romans 12
May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Read: Romans 12
As I read Romans 12, I began thinking to myself, “All of this sounds so good, but at the same time, I don’t know if I have the capacity or ability to carry each one of these out. I mean, come on God. You are asking me to bless those who are mean to me. You want me to serve you enthusiastically every day. I mean some days I am just tired. How can I do all of these things to the level You are asking?”
But as I read it again, I noticed something. What God is asking me to do is not contingent on who I am as a person. It is not about my abilities, instead it is about His. And what are the abilities of a God who created everything?
You see, in the beginning of my thinking, I was thinking about how I was going to accomplish all of this. Instead, I should have been thinking about how God was going to accomplish all of this through someone like me.
We cannot do all of these things on our own. Instead, our job is to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (v. 1, ESV). We are called to lay down our wants and desires. We are to change our way of thinking (v. 2). If we can give up the things we are striving after and let God have control, then what He is telling us to do in the rest of the chapter is not unreasonable. Instead, it is reasonable to do for a God who knows all things and is over all things. We need to give up the control of our lives and let God have it.
And as I write this, I am reminded of a song I was listening to earlier. It’s by a Christian rapper named Hulvey. I know some of you just cringed when I brought up Christian rap (haha). But in his song called Everything, he talks about surrendering to God. Surrendering his wants and desires. The chorus of the song goes: “God I give You everything, I’m tired of holding on”. And I think that is how we need to be. We need to be tired of holding on to the things we want or what we might think is best. We need to give everything to God.
Only in surrendering everything to God are we able to live out Romans 12. What do you need to surrender?
If you would like to listen to the song I mentioned, I will post the link at the bottom. I know for some of you, this is not your type of music, but give it a try. Listen to the lyrics because there is meaning behind them.
By: Brice Stockton
Read: Romans 12
As I read Romans 12, I began thinking to myself, “All of this sounds so good, but at the same time, I don’t know if I have the capacity or ability to carry each one of these out. I mean, come on God. You are asking me to bless those who are mean to me. You want me to serve you enthusiastically every day. I mean some days I am just tired. How can I do all of these things to the level You are asking?”
But as I read it again, I noticed something. What God is asking me to do is not contingent on who I am as a person. It is not about my abilities, instead it is about His. And what are the abilities of a God who created everything?
You see, in the beginning of my thinking, I was thinking about how I was going to accomplish all of this. Instead, I should have been thinking about how God was going to accomplish all of this through someone like me.
We cannot do all of these things on our own. Instead, our job is to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (v. 1, ESV). We are called to lay down our wants and desires. We are to change our way of thinking (v. 2). If we can give up the things we are striving after and let God have control, then what He is telling us to do in the rest of the chapter is not unreasonable. Instead, it is reasonable to do for a God who knows all things and is over all things. We need to give up the control of our lives and let God have it.
And as I write this, I am reminded of a song I was listening to earlier. It’s by a Christian rapper named Hulvey. I know some of you just cringed when I brought up Christian rap (haha). But in his song called Everything, he talks about surrendering to God. Surrendering his wants and desires. The chorus of the song goes: “God I give You everything, I’m tired of holding on”. And I think that is how we need to be. We need to be tired of holding on to the things we want or what we might think is best. We need to give everything to God.
Only in surrendering everything to God are we able to live out Romans 12. What do you need to surrender?
If you would like to listen to the song I mentioned, I will post the link at the bottom. I know for some of you, this is not your type of music, but give it a try. Listen to the lyrics because there is meaning behind them.
By: Brice Stockton
11 Comments
Thank you Brice!
This intersects with my main prayer this year-that I will make God First in my life. I struggle with this. Verse 1 is so key and you hit it on the head! It is too easy for me to slip back into my bad habits, my control, my comfort zones. And then get frustrated when it doesn't go well!! Lord help me to be "strong and courageous " to let You be first. Please be Lord over my life.
Oh, and I liked "everything ". Thank you for sharing that.
Thanks for sharing Christy! Praying for you!
Great track, B. And great passage for today's devo.
Verse three starts with, "For through the grace given to me...", a reminder of the goodness and kindness shown to us by God in Christ.
Completely agree Korbet!
Well said Brice. I have a bunch of T's from mission trips I have taken the past 20 years; my favorite one which I am currently wearing thus morning says "Love God and serve others".
That's awesome!!
Great posting today Brice! I love rap (confession: when I wasn't walking with the Lord em and em was one of my favorites) and really enjoyed the song.
I love the way God continually renews my mind and changes the desires of my heart. I would be in a horrible situation if this were not so
I think we could all agree with you! I'm sure my life would be a wreck had I not been obedient to what the Lord had called me to do!
What an awesome chapter, it is essentially a blueprint on what the Christian life should look like. And I'm so glad you point out that we can't do anything in this chapter without God working through us. Thanks for making this so clear, Brice! Praying today that I can live out Romans 12 and trust in the Holy Spirit to give me the ability to do so.
Praying for you as well Scottie!
WOW! I feel like you can read my thoughts. I am praying over something right now and I KNOW I need to give God control and trust him, but I will be honest-I am struggling. Thank you Brice! I needed this so much! I am committing to you right now to lay down this "want" and let God have control.