The Romance of Romans-Part 75

Romans Chapter 12 cont'd

Don't let the value system of fallen humanity mold or dictate your life or lifestyle. Rather, cooperate with God's agenda to transform you through the spiritual renewal of your thinking, so that you may be able to discern the will of God which is truly good, always acceptable and entirely perfect.

Comments:

These sentences capture something essential about and basic to the life and lifestyle of a authentic follower of Jesus. We are called to take our cues for life on earth from the invisible realm of highest heaven where Christ's reign as King of both heaven and earth is unquestioned. We know that it is only a matter of time before the just reign of the True King is fully applied to the kingdoms and peoples of this world. He is presently reigning...but..."in the midst of his enemies" (see Ps. 110 again) and mercifully providing them with the opportunity to turn to him and be saved.

The cultures in which we live exert a powerful pressure on us to conform to images, beliefs and ways of being and relating that are in conflict with the Lordship of Jesus the Christ. There is a kind of "detachment" from this present age that is fundamental to true spirituality. The "center" of our truest self is not bound to the fallen nature of this world and so we are free to resist the pressure to conform to the animating "spirits" of earthly cultures...things like the well known "seven deadly sins":

Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.

Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation.

Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.

Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.

Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath.

Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.

Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

But as we will see, "detachment" from the fallen cultures of our world is not an end for genuine spirituality, but rather, a beginning place that properly positions us to be effective ambassadors of the Living God and his great love to the people all around us.