(Romans 12: 1 – 21)
1. The Nature of God: The Bible says in Rom. 11:33 that God is rich in wisdom and knowledge and His judgments are unsearchable. His ways are past finding out and of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. All things are naked and opened unto His eyes (Heb. 4:13). The Bible says that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10: 31) and that our God is a Consuming fire (Heb. 12:29). God is Holy (I Pet. 1: 15-16) and He cannot behold iniquity (Hab. 1:13). His judgment is final (Heb. 9:27)
2. The Signs of the Times: The Bible says in II Tim 3: 1 – 5 that “in the end times perilous times shall come; men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good; traitors heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof.” These are some of the things we see in the world today and we must be mindful of them.
3. My Responsibilities: In Romans 12: 1-3, the Bible instructs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is our reasonable service. It also says that we should not be conformed to the world but we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. The Bible also describes our responsibilities to the society in Rom. 12: 4 – 21. As we fulfill our responsibilities to God and to the society, we will begin to enjoy the rewards of His faithfulness.
4. God’s Reward: There are many rewards that God gives to those who diligently seek Him. These include:
a. Mercy: The mercy of God prevents us from getting the judgment we rightfully deserve from Him. God says He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy and compassion on whom He will have compassion. So then, it is not of him that willeth nor of Him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy (Rom. 9: 15-16). Blind Bartimaeus called upon the Lord Jesus for mercy and he received his sight.
b. Favor: The favor of God gives us what we do not rightfully deserve. The Bible says that God will bless the righteous and with favor will He surround him as with a shield (Ps. 5:12). The favor of God made Esther a queen in Persia.
c. Grace: The grace of God allows the riches and the blessings of God to flow toward us. As we serve God with humility, He gives His grace to us for the Bible says that God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble.
d. Love: God’s love is everlasting upon those who serve Him in spirit and in truth. His love caused Him to die for us on the Cross of Calvary.