God's People or the World’s Sheeple
- Joe Palmisano
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Theme: Do not check your holiness at the door of life
As I listened to Pastor Jimmy’s sermon this past Sunday from Romans, Chapter 12, I loved what he said about Paul using the prior eleven chapters as the reason for what he wrote us in Chapter 12. Paul told us this by his first word in verse 1, “Therefore.”
He said, “Because of everything I have told you, now live this way.”
I love to think of the Bible as a two-edged sword. God gives us the spiritual and eternal edge in its brilliance while piercing us with the practical “owner’s manual” of our earthly journey. How so, you may ask? The answer is found in verses 1 and 2 of Romans 12. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)
We know that if we are genuinely committed to God in Jesus Christ, we are being sanctified, transformed, and conformed into the image of Jesus. As Pastor Jimmy put it, we are undergoing a metamorphosis to change into a form God can use. We can voluntarily offer our worldly bodies, goals, and desires, as instructed in our manual, or we can wait for God to strip us of them. As we read in Proverbs, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 NIV). We know from life that operating anything against the manufacturer’s recommendations will eventually cause a breakdown and render it useless. God is our “manufacturer.” He tells us, “If you are truly committed to me, then give all of yourself to me, as I will have my way with you either by your choice or mine.” What if you are playing the game, as I once did, being double minded with one foot in each world? In that case, you will not understand this reasoning and run the risk of being treated like the church in Laodicea, when God had John write, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 NIV).
I purposely read about cows and sheep this morning because their actions are not much different from those of us who have conformed to the world. This may sound demeaning, but think on this a bit, as I provide excerpts from an article titled, “Unlocking the mystery: Why cows follow the same path.”
• Cows are creatures of habit, adhering to specific routes regardless of geography. These paths, called cow paths or cattle trails, allow for movement prediction.
Are we any different when we act on our own?
• A myriad of factors determine the creation and following of these paths. Environmental elements like proximity to water sources, food supplies, and terrain type play a significant role, as do manufactured structures like fences.
Drugs, sex, and gambling, to name a few. We too wear out paths to these as we unthinkingly feed our needs.
• Social behavior shapes cow path formation, with cows following leaders within the herd and merging established trails.
Social media influencers, TV and movie personalities, and our political leaders who tell us what to do, as we mindlessly follow the herd.
And, from an article titled “Sheep 101.info” we read, “Sheep have a strong instinct to follow the sheep in front of them. When one sheep decides to go somewhere the other will always follow. It is a fact that if one sheep walks off a cliff, the entire herd will often follow.” Shepherdless sheep follow blindly. Does that sound familiar?
Conforming to the world means losing everything God designed us to be. And it is a subtle, almost undetectable descent, until we are nothing more than human cattle.
Finally, as we leave from the dos and don’ts of Paul’s practical instruction, allow us to go back to Chapter 8 of Romans to be reminded of the Glory that awaits us in our “dying to self.”
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:12-17 NIV) ………. AMEN!
Scripture: Romans 8:12-13 NIV; Galatians 2:20 NIV
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Prayer:
Lord God, I praise you this morning. How can I thank you enough for your Grace that opened my eyes and heart to you, that beckoned my dead soul to you. This morning, I once again die to you Lord, giving up all my goals, perceived needs, and desires, and asking that the Holy Spirit fill me the pure joy of knowing only you and your will for me. Replace the fear and suspicion with your love and peace. Take the apprehension of the day and turn it to joy. Teach me to live for your voice and your direction as I do for water on a muggy day. I so long for your voice Lord. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen
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