“Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him. Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect…Don't think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself… Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have the same purpose…We all have gifts. They differ in keeping with the grace that God has given each of us…Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good. Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves. Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord…Share with God's people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes…Bless those who hurt you... Don't be proud. Be willing to be a friend of people who aren't considered important. Don't think that you are better than others… If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
‘If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on their heads.’ (Proverbs 25:21, 22)
Don't let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:1-21 NIrV)
Paul summarizes here in his letter to the Romans what our lives should resemble as believers. Because of what God has done for us, who were once His enemies as sinners, we are to give up our desires to serve Him as warriors on the battle against sin! The battle is done IN THE TRENCHES, in neighborhoods, along city blocks, on college campuses, in town centers, and in office buildings. While we all can’t go to the front lines of battle, we all can and must have a part in the battle, as a body! What we have is not ours, but given to us to share with the world to the glory of God, especially in this day!
Just as a regiment of soldiers has many parts, we as God’s army must work as a unit. Everyone doesn’t carry a weapon, but everyone is needed. The soldiers must be fed. Weapons must be in good supply. Camps must be fully stocked. The soldiers need to know they have the physical and mental support to carry out the battle plans. It’s the same in God’s army. Those in the trenches of urban neighborhoods, city gyms, suburban day cares, high rise offices, or high schools and colleges need the supply of prayer, teaching material, housing, transportation, and clothing. All this costs…and requires sacrifice from every believer, every member of the Body!
Donald King of the Southern Baptist’s North American Mission Board sending team encourages all to support the warriors: “It’s God’s call that leads rational men and women to walk on dangerous streets, to talk with colorful characters, to seek out people of peace in perilous places. Missionaries boldly go to the frontline of the spiritual battlefield…they are like warriors assigned to take the hill in the name of the Lord. Their very presence begins to penetrate the spiritual darkness of neighborhoods, city blocks, and college campuses.”(They are Warriors. OnMission.com Magazine. Fall. 2008.)
Are you willing to join the battle against the enemy of God? He is lurking in our neighborhoods and schools. He is creeping around the shopping malls and the playgrounds. We need to be on the offensive. Soldiers are suited up and ready to fight, yet the supply line is dwindling. This is not the time to retreat, but to lay it on the line; for our final victory is at hand! Encourage a soldier today. Do your part for those IN THE TRENCHES! There is even room for you on the front line if you so choose. But don’t give up…we too were once the enemy, but God redeemed us through Christ’s blood on the original battlefield. There is yet one final battle…join in!
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