It’s been said, and I’ve watched it play out in the vast majority of churches that I’ve had the privilege of visiting, that of any body of believers, 10% are the actual moving body. The other 90% sit in the pew, if they even show up. I giggled at what that would look like if it were an actual human body and only 10% was functional. Maybe one leg, one arm, the head, but not the neck. And if that body tried to walk, what a sight that would be! The body of Christ in any given church looks much the same when it doesn’t function with enough working members. Although it’s nothing to giggle at.
I’m not sure what those who sit idly in the pew are thinking when they read or hear Romans 12 preached.
It’s Show and Tell Time
Romans 12:1-11 KJV
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
When sacrificing an animal according to God’s law, a priest would kill the animal and place it on the altar as an offering to God. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (see 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices—daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.
Every single one of us has been called to the head of the class to present ourselves for show and tell. To show what God created us to do for Him. Imagine yourself there. Standing before Almighty God. What are you going to show Him that you’ve been doing with the body you were given? It’s going to happen for real when we stand before Christ on judgement day. We might as well practice now!
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The Proof is in the Pudding
I’ve heard that said a thousand times or more in my life; and there in Heaven we’ll understand it far greater. When you stand before God accountable for what you’ve done with what you’ve been given, how will it go? For myself, I can’t say I’m not concerned. I know that I have not done any where close what I could have done for the cause of Christ. As I sat in church last night with very few members of the body feeling the need to even show up for a study that the man of God has poured his heart in to, I was grateful for those who were there, but wondered how God must view that body that represents Him. It was missing several parts of the anatomy. Of course it’s not only Wednesday night… it’s every day of the week.
You’re about to be Graded
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
“Every man” he said, or woman. If you tell me you’re a child of God, then why are you not active in the body of Christ? This is not me judging, because I have my own issues. This is me wanting to see the church step up and step out for Jesus Christ. I’ve been at this nearing 28 years, there are days I feel like I’m at ground zero. But I want to see my church, and your church on fire!🔥 If our final exam was tomorrow, how would we do in the basic knowledge and principals of the Christian faith?
The Report Cards have been Mailed
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. [9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. [10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; [11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; [12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; [13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. [14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. [15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. [16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Our Father has our report cards. He has our behavior record, attendance report, how good of a “reader” we are. Yep, there’s nothing hidden from Him. He even grades on attitude. There’s some people that’s in a heap of trouble. I may be one of them!
The point of this and any blog post I do, is to first run my self through the wringer and see what comes out in the wash. I have a lot of work to do. What about you? Have you fallen away from God. Turn back today, get your hind end to church and never look back. You’ll never regret a thing you do for our Savior. Amen? Amen.