The Power Of A Transformed Life Part 15
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And 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 12:1-2 (NKJV)
We have the responsibility to fill the earth with the awareness of God. In order to do this, we have to be transformed. Before we do that, we must be aware of the glory of God in us. Living Christ in the earth is our responsibility. It’s not enough to say that we are saved but we have to act it out. We have to take Christ out into the earth. We have to take Him out to our nation.
When we live for Christ, our perspective of salvation changes. When we get saved, we are grateful but we should also pass that on to persons around us. We can’t keep salvation for ourselves. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation to draw men back to God (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). The harvest is ripe but we must ask where are the labourers. Where is the church? The church has been called to go out into the world and minister unto men. We must see others the way God sees them instead of according to the flesh. As Christians, Christ should be seen in us so that men may draw nigh unto Him.
Living Christ in the earth is living the character of God. It is having the mind of Christ and speaking like He speaks. It is showing the glory of God that is within us to the world. We are righteous ambassadors of Christ in the earth. Our identity is in Him. It is not in a church or in a nation. As ambassadors, we represent the Kingdom of God. Ambassadors, diplomats and consulates live according to the rules of their nation and they teach their children the culture and the language. The church must speak the language of the Kingdom and live the culture. If we live as ambassadors, change will come to our nation.
The fruit of the Spirit is an integral part of living Christ in the earth (Galatians 5:22-23). It is the foundation of who we are and how we act. Our thoughts have an impact on how we act. We must think on the things of God (Philippians 4:8) and do them. When we do this, God will give us His peace.
Are we living Christ in the earth? Is our life making a difference? We must continue to do what God has called us to do, no matter what happens. We may be rejected, we may be persecuted but we must continue on. As Jesus said “nevertheless, let Your will be done”, our prayer must be the same. Nevertheless we must continue on. Living Christ is saying, “God, let Your will be done.”
We have a responsibility to bring healing to our nation (Proverbs 13:17) and to live a life worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). The Philippians were not motivated by the presence of Paul but rather by the desire for the King.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
Are our minds centered on Christ? We become centered when we live out Christ in our communities and homes. As the body of Christ, when we are united, change comes. When we love our neighbours as ourselves, change comes. Unity brings life (Psalm 133, Ephesians 4:1-6). It is the key that birthed the church and the key that will keep the church. God is calling us back to love and unity. Living Christ in the earth will come through the love of God (John 13:31-35, 1 John 4:7, 21).
[/column]