Bible Study - Set Apart (4) - Set Apart in the Way We Think - Romans 12:1-13 - August 6, 2023

 

Bible Study – Set Apart (4) – Set Apart in the Way We Think – August 6, 2023

First, sorry that the publication of these lessons has been delayed or out of sequence. I/we have been balancing health issues.

Our focus scripture is Romans 12:1-5, 9-13. study

Living for CHRIST changes the way we think.

In last week’s study, it is clear that the battlefield is for control of our minds and time.

We read in Ephesians 5:15-16: ¹⁵ See then that you walk ^[a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  

Just notice as you boot up your computer or smart device, almost immediately there are icons or messages that seem to reach out and grab our attention. This is true especially if we are planning to read scripture or work on something our LORD desires for us to do. Who do you think is orchestrating this mind shift?

It is those marketing products. Products include things we use as well as news, stories and events. The scope is broad and when we chase these lures, it robs us of time. People have a certain amount of time in each day and if Satan can rob us of time to chase the mundane and frivolous, the less time we have to read GOD’S Word or study the things important to our Spiritual growth and development.

The basis for this lesson began in last week’s lesson. Humans are developing more smart devices to rob us of time. We think we have to have the latest and best new smart/electronic device. This is not a lesson on anti-devices but how these devices rob us of our time. They can also be useful to save time when we use them properly. I personally love things that help us save time.

Let’s read Romans 12:1-2:

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.^[a] 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, the Holy Spirit unites with his/her Spirit and the person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be unborn. It is the Holy Spirit WHO begins the process of renewing the Spirit-born person’s mind.

The objective and goal of Satan is to renew the minds of all people, including Spirit-born people, to make them doubt that they are truly Spirit-born. So, what does a Spirit-born person need to do when doubt enters his/her mind? Deal with it by going to the Bible to review the facts of salvation. Keep in mind that Satan is subtle and crafty. Satan has been defeated, he is still alive and working hard to lure people to listen to him rather than listen to GOD, via the Holy Spirit within him or her. Satan tries to discredit the presence and power of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is GOD’S power flowing through every Spirit-born believer. Thus, the Spirit-born person knows the mind of CHRIST.

The scripture makes it clear that our minds are the battlefield to be won or lost in Spiritual battles. So goes the mind, so goes the person to whom we listen and follow. Satan loves to disguise himself as truth. But know that he is a liar and crafty. Christians must stay focused on JESUS and keep their mind set on JESUS.

Notice, when you boot up your smart/electronic device/computer the first things that reach out and grab your attention. These things lure you to other things that lead to yet other things. We might say, “Well that is marketing,” which is true but it robs us of time and changes our focus.

Many Gifts but One Body – Romans 12:3-14:

³ For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. ⁴ Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. ⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s^[b] faith; ⁷ if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

Christian Ethics

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. ¹¹ Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;^[c] serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. ¹³ Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

1.    These are measures of a Spirit-born person’s Spiritual growth.

How do we measure up? If we do not measure up, we confess it to our LORD and ask HIM to give us the power and strength and to renew our minds for us to keep pressing on in HIS power and love. HE never gives up on us and neither should we give up on what GOD can do in and through us, as we obediently serve HIM. HE Never gives up on us and neither should we give up on HIM to complete the work HE has begun in us.

Keep in mind we are on the battlefield every day. The fiery missiles of Satan will come at us every day. The questions are, will we be distracted or raise our shields of faith to protect us? Are we dressed properly for battle?

Spirit-born Christians must suit up for battle every day. The Apostle Paul tells us what we need to do to be ready for battle in Ephesians 6:10-20:

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the ^[b]wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of ^[c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Born-again believers must keep in mind that GOD chose to leave Satan in the world, even though he is defeated. Why? Iron sharpens iron and resistance makes us stronger. Christians are still being perfected in this world.

Folks, a new day has come and we will see this new day manifested more and more until JESUS fully establishes HIS Kingdom upon earth. It may still be 1,000 years or more. Only our FATHER knows. The good news is that the focus has shifted. The death of JESUS upon the cross and HIS resurrection from the physically dead by GOD is foundational and always will be the basis for our faith for Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family. The shift is never away from the cross and always to JESUS as to the One and Only Savior WHO fulfills the promises of GOD. The shift is to the second coming and to those Spirit-born people endowed with an outpouring and manifestation of the Spiritual Gifts from GOD. Hasn’t this aways been true? YES! But never like what has already begun. Just watch and see more answered prayer and the manifestation of Spiritual Gifts of GOD’S power upon earth through those who are Spirit-born. This will not be easy because Satan will throw up every barrier he can to defeat and discourage but those who are Spirit-born will be given the grace to see Satan’s lie, rebuke it and move forward in the power of GOD.

I am so excited to see this day finally arrive because it is the beginning of the end of the rule of Satan. Spirit-born people will witness the power of the Holy Spirit being manifested like never before witnessed upon earth.

Just be keenly aware that the negative will come but we who are Spirit-born are to rebuke that which we know is false and embrace that which we know is truth. We who are Spiritual will be tested but the victory is ours through faith in JESUS. We, who know the truth, must explain to others what is taking place. A new day has dawned and we are moving ever more closely to the return of JESUS to earth to establish HIS Kingdom upon earth. It still may be thousands of years away but the tide has turned. We will see the power of GOD at work. Blessings!!!