Last night I went grocery shopping, paleo style, through the bulk food place that exists in NZ. Because in this time of easy calories one has to choose what to eat very carefully, and the only way I will lost the excess poundage is to cut the carbs way back, in addition to doing the fairly long walks and gym sessions I already have. This is not for vanity: this is so my back, knees and shoulders do not hurt, and I can then carry the groceries into the home in one load.
When Paul says present our bodies… it means in part, and only in part, that we do not indulge ourselves: either in the narcissism of extreme asceticism, or indulgence in the pleasures of the flesh. Which for this blogger includes eating: I am a fairly good cook (being hungry makes you learn) and enjoy, like most primates sugary carbs. Which are indeed bad for me.
But in this life, we do what we must, not what we want to. Dennis Prager said this… talking about marriage (hat tip Wintery Knight) but it applies more broadly.
I actually had a conversation with a Christian woman once who said that women should not be obligated to do things that they didn’t feel like doing. I asked her if men were obligated to go to work when they didn’t feel like going. She said yes, and acted as though I were crazy for asking. I just laughed, because she didn’t even see the inconsistency. The truth is that men often don’t feel like working, but they get up and go to work anyway, whether they like it or not (in most cases).
I guess we are allowed one completely off topic cat photo before the text: where I suggest Paul expands what it means to be a living sacrifice.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12 ESV)
I see three paragraphs for on what it means to live for Christ, seeing this life as a sacrifice. There have been series of sermons on this chapter, that have gone on for hours. So excuse these very simple comments.
We must be humble. We are not to see ourselves as better than we are. We are not to forget we cannot earn our salvation. The very idea that we think of self-esteem and consider that we need to value ourselves in a greater and greater measure is a foul heresy.
We must hate evil Not false evil, the propaganda of the day, (accelerated Global Warming is a classic example) but the evil that exists within our society and societies throughout the world. Some of these things we need to fight actively, but much we should simply not give any attention to. If you starve those who pander to evil of attention, they flowers of rebellion wither.
All of this stuff stems from three impulses: A desire to assume unearned moral superiority – I’m better than you; A desire to assume unearned prominence – I’m more important than you; A desire for attention – Look at me! Aren’t I special?
That’s what they’re looking for. Don’t give it to them. Don’t play their game, refuse to acknowledge that their game even exists
We must love our enemies. We must do good to all. We should aim to live humbly, walk gently, and do good, particularly to those who dislike us. I have little to add to the text: as a person with considerable tendencies to misanthropy, My challenge is applying it.
For we are not here as nice voting fodder for those who see all things as political, or as serfs for the elite. We are here to serve Christ. Where we are: in our families, in our church and in our society. Do not let the siren sounds of spirituality or self-development take your eyes from this. We are not in this world for ourselves, but to bleed out for Christ. For he bled for us.
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