Consecrated Christians

Consecrated Christians
Romans 12

This is a tremendous chapter; full of truth and convicting power. It was written not to unbelievers, but to believers- Christians. Paul makes it clear that he is addressing Christians by calling them "brethren" in the first verse. Much of the New Testament was written to believers, giving them instructions for how they should live since they had become a Christian. What has happened to the Church world? Why is instruction for how a Christian should live dismissed as "legalism?" Why have teachers and preachers become so set against practical Christian teaching? Why is any command summarily disregarded and labeled "legalism?" Legalism is not a Christian life lived according to the laws of the Bible- legalism is trusting one's own good works or own goodness for salvation. Paul did not believe in salvation by works or by rules of behavior, he made that very clear. By the same token, no Apostle wrote more about how a Christian ought to live than Paul did. He gave list after list in his epistles stating that if a man did these things he would not inherit the kingdom of God.

Yes, Friend. Christians must be Consecrated. Christians must live according to the doctrine and instructions of the Bible.

In Romans 12, Paul speaks of at least four characteristics of Consecrated Christians:

I. Sacrificial Yielding. (12:1,2) In these well known verses Paul passionately makes the case that every believer is to yield his earthly life completely to God. We must "present" ourselves. It must be a willing offering. We are to be a "living sacrifice." The Old Testament sacrifice had no will of its own, it was offered by another's will. In the New Testament we must willingly offer ourselves to the Lord as a sacrifice. Our will must die so that His will lives in us. Our desires must succumb to His desires. Our plans must surrender to His Plans. There must be sacrificial yielding for one to be a consecrated Christian. We must pray just as Jesus himself prayed: "Not MY will, but THINE be done."

II. Sober Thinking. (12:3-8) Paul says that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought; but to think soberly. We are not to be lifted up in pride. We know well the dangers of pride and how it is condemned so strongly in Scripture. So Paul tells us not to be Prideful, but he tells us to think soberly, properly, rightly. We are not be lifted up in pride, but neither are we to be buried in inferiority. God has given to every man a measure of faith. God has made us all as individuals so that we are different one from another, but we are not better than one another. Think about yourself soberly- God made you and loves you. You are not God but you are not Garbage. You are not Deity but you are not Dirt. Think soberly! Think about yourself the way God thinks about you. He knows you have abilities and talents; he also knows you have weaknesses and flaws. We must also think soberly about others. Just as we have our good points and bad points, so do others. Don't lift others up on pedestals but don't put them under your feet either. Treat them as God wants them treated and you want to be treated. Along with this, we are reminded to think soberly about our place of service in the work of the Lord. We do not all have the same calling, the same abilities, the same talents, the same positions. God has made his One body of Many members with differing gifts, callings and offices. Some are blessed with the gift of prophecy, some with ministry, some with teaching, some with exhorting, some with giving, some with ruling, some with showing mercy. We must think soberly about our area of service for the Lord and be content to fill OUR place.

III. Sincere Loving. (12:9,10) Paul says that our love must be without "dissimulation." That means it must be without hypocrisy or play acting. We are not to be "putting on an act of love," but we are to love sincerely and practically. You've probably heard it said, "Well, I love them, but I don't like them!" Paul deals with this mistaken attitude in verse 10 by telling us to be "kindly affectioned one to another." We are to LIKE one another and be kind to each other. You cannot really love someone if you don't like them and are not kind to them. You may not like all of someone's ways, but you must love and be kind to them as a person if you would be a consecrated Christian.

IV. Sanctified Living. (12:11-21) In this next passage, Paul deals with very practical matters of the Christian's life. As I mentioned in the introduction of this message, too often the "rules" of Scripture are disregarded as "legalistic" and people are told they do not have to submit to "rules" for they are under "grace." How far from the Truth! One of the purposes of the Bible and of Christian Ministry is the "perfecting of the saints." Just because we have been born again does not mean that we are instantly and entirely perfect for all eternity. NO, there must be a growing Christian experience. There must be a progression in maturity, in obedience, in faith, in relationship. So Paul gives instructions concerning the Christian's life in this world and deals with the following matters:

A. Industry (11)- Christians are not to be lazy in business. We must be industrious in supporting our families and providing for their physical needs. God does not condone nor bless a lazy Christian.

B. Patience (12)- Christians must be patient in times of tribulation and trouble. We are not exempt from hardships in this life. We too are human beings living in a sinful world. We must patiently endure our trials, rejoicing in hope, and continuing in prayer.

C. Generosity (13)- Christians must be generous to those in need and be "given to hospitality." God has given us the ultimate example of generosity, not only in giving his own Son that we might be saved, but we read this in 2 Peter 1:3: "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness..."

D. Forgiveness (14) Christians must bless those that persecute them and curse them not. Forgiveness is not easy to practice but it is necessary for the consecrated Christian.

E. Compassion (15,16)- Christians must have compassion on others. We must feel what they feel. We are to rejoice with them when they rejoice; weep with them when they weep; condescend to men of low estate; and not be conceited.

F. Honesty (17)- Christians must practice strict honesty. We are to "provide for things honest in the sight of all men." A Christian should never cheat, steal, or lie. Our business dealings must be honest and above reproach.

G. Peace Making (18-21)- Christians must live peaceably with all men realizing that only God has the divine authority of vengeance. Jesus taught his followers to not only love each other, but to love their enemies and to do good to those who despitefully used them.

All of these things are important to us if we will be consecrated Christians. Are you a professing Christians or are you a consecrated Christian? Have you relegated all "rules" to the trash bin of "legalism?" Are you willing to sacrificially yield yourself to the Lord and live in obedience to His Word?