Loving and Just Behavior

IN THIS STUDY, PAUL exhorts believers to reflect upon God’s many mercies towards them. As a logical outgrowth of such favor, followers of Christ should gladly devote their energies fully towards doing the Heavenly Father’s will.

“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. 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.”—Rom. 12:1,2

The manner in which this can be achieved is by having our attitude changed from a focus upon earthly concerns into spiritual mindedness by the influence of God’s Holy Spirit. This act of consecration implies renouncing sinful propensities in favor of righteousness and a desire to do the Heavenly Father’s will. Beyond this, however, faithfulness in actively sacrificing human aims and ambitions ultimately will lead to the transformation of our nature from human to the divine.

Although individually many believers have responded to the invitation of this heavenly calling, as we work out our salvation we are reminded there is both unity and diversity within the body of Christ. Additionally, there are various gifts and talents that are possessed by each consecrated believer that should be used for the mutual edification of all the saints.—vss. 4-8

Our Key Verse illustrates an important character trait as an evidence that we are being transformed. It mentions the spirit of genuine love that we should have for our brethren, as well as an intense opposition towards anything sinful or impure in our motives, thoughts and actions.

Much of the balance of this chapter describes attributes that we as consecrated believers must develop. These qualities must be maintained throughout our earthly sojourn as we relate to those both within and outside of our fellowship.—vss. 10-21

We are to manifest a lifestyle of holy behavior in accordance with our commitment to follow Christ. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) Not only did Jesus pray for those who were present with him his last night on earth, but his petition was on behalf of all the members of the church to this very day. The sanctification given by God is a process that is directly related to our study of and feeding upon righteous principles contained in the Bible.

It has been the divine purpose to select a class from among mankind who will lead lives of holiness in preparation for the bestowing of future blessings on the human family. God has set forth the required standards of conduct deemed suitable for our exaltation to a ruling position in his kingdom under the direction of Jesus Christ.

May the spirit of this exhortation abide in our hearts as an encouragement to be faithful to our calling. “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—I Thess. 5:23