"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

The great argument of Paul’s letter to the Romans is the justification of man on the basis of grace through faith.  The first eleven chapters are devoted to this great theme concluding with a hymn of praise as Paul stands in awe of God’s ways.  Now, in chapter 12 Paul moves to a practical plea for a sacrificial living.

God beseeches us to sacrifice our own bodies to him.  In chapter 6 Paul says: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:12-13)  The surrendering of our bodies to godly principles means that our entire self is yielded to God.

First, God wants a living sacrifice.  Under the Mosaical law the sacrifice was taken to the altar where it was slain and consumed.  However, here the Christian’s physical life is not forfeited, but the carnal self is lost and a new life of honor is embraced.  The old carnal feelings of envy, pride, and revenge must give way to love, joy, peace, and gentleness.  A desire to please peers is replaced by a desire to please God.  This desire to honor God is to be the chief affection of our heart.

Next, we notice this sacrifice is to be holy.  Under the Law of Moses the animal offered was to be free from blemish.  Here God enjoins holy living; to be totally dedicated to him.  Those members of the body that must yield to God’s will are the eyes (Matthew 5:29), the ears (James 1:19,20), the hands (Mark 9:44), the feet (Mark 9:44), and the mouth (Ephesians 4:29).  God wants our mind and heart.  He wants our all.

This living, holy sacrifice of our bodies is well pleasing to God.  Under Moses’ law only the priest could offer such sacrifices.  However, through Christ all of his disciples are priests qualified to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.  Such offerings must include our tribute of thanksgiving and adoration to God.
(Hebrews 13:15,16)  

This consecrated life is motivated by the mercies of God.  Shall not the Christian sacrifice all earthly affections to Christ?  Shall he not hear the voice of Jesus above all others?  When we think of what we owe the Lord, any sacrifice in our life will seem like a feeble effort to show our gratitude and love.

By George Slover
 

the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— (1 John 1:2)

The introduction to John’s first letter stirs the imagination.  The potential and the possibilities of God living in the flesh and living among men thrills the soul.  John, in simple language, sets before his readers this profound truth.

A key word in this context is “life”. (vs. 1,2)  The focus of the letter and of John’s ministry is the “word of life”.  (vs. 1)  The gospel is personified.  It is more than mere commands.  It is about a person!  That person is Jesus and he is God in the flesh!  (John 1:14).

John says the “Word of Life” was from the beginning.  God has no beginning and no end.  He was before all creation; indeed he is the Creator of all things!  
(John 1:3)  The “Word of Life” existed intimately with the Father before time began.  He is timeless in existence.

However, this “life was manifested” i.e. he entered the realm of time in human form.  He moved from the realm of the invisible to the visible.  The life was manifested through the earthly ministry of Jesus, and gloriously exhibited by his death and resurrection.  It is difficult for the finite mind to conceive of such a thing!  Yet, to entertain the possibilities engenders hope!

To add to the excitement John makes a bold claim.  We saw him.  We gazed upon him.  We touched him!  They beheld his glory (John 1:14), heard his voice, and witnessed his mighty works as he stilled the sea and raised the dead.  They saw him die on a cross.  They touched his body of flesh and bones after his resurrection.  (Luke 24:39)  It was more than a quick glance.  It was a steadfast gaze in which John tried to fully discover this mystery.   He is qualified to testify of this marvelous life.

John does not keep this marvelous story to himself.  He makes a declaration so that others can enjoy the same fellowship and joy.  No other relationship can compare with the communion of man with God.  This fellowship involves enjoying the compassion, strength, and sympathy of a heavenly Father.  It means God has forgiven the sinner!  The contemplation of such possibility brings joy!

We owe a debt of gratitude to the apostles who took great pains and gave their lives to make their testimony known to the world that we might believe and have life in God.

By George Slover
 

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)

In 1977 I began local work in Louisiana.  Among that small band of disciples was a young man I will never forget.  He was a devoted husband and father, a provider and spiritual protector of his family.  I remember him conducting his first Bible class with a red face, a gravel voice, and other obvious signs of being nervous.  But, what I most remember about him was his fervent prayers.

Epaphras, the servant of Christ who first brought the gospel to Colosee (Colossians 1:7,8), was also known for his earnest prayers.  Epaphras was a native of Colosee and one of three Gentiles mentioned at the end of this letter.  In this context Epaphras is in Rome with Paul and absent from those in Colosee,  but he has not forgotten them.  He is praying for them.

Paul reports that Epaphras is “laboring fervently” in prayer. (NKJV)  The NIV says “always wrestling in prayer”.  This is a word indicating patience, persistence, and intensity.  The spiritual warfare of the brethren was constantly weighing on his mind.  This kept him active in prayer.  This is a great commendation of this servant – that foremost in his heart was the well-being of the brethren.

The prayers of this wonderful servant were accompanied by zeal for other churches as well – Laodicea and Hierapolis.  (vs. 13) These neighboring churches were also exposed to the same perils as the church in Colosee.  This “great zeal” indicates deep anxiety and anguish.  Epaphras was deeply concerned about all three churches in the valley of Lycus. 

These churches were threatened by heresy.  The best defense against false doctrine is to be well- grounded and convicted in truth.  Thus, Epaphras prayed that the brethren might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)  This should be the goal of every servant of Christ.  These deep rooted convictions will help them make good moral decisions and avoid doctrinal error.  

The church is in need of those like Epaphras and my friend from Louisiana.  Satan is constantly trying to destroy souls by leading them astray.  The greatest hindrance to Satan’s progress is those who will boldly proclaim God’s word and will go to their knees in prayer.  What about you?

By George Slover


 

“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalms 84:10)

This statement demands at least four characteristics  of the person sincerely making it.  Ask self if I can sincerely and objectively make this statement?

IT DEMANDS KNOWLEDGE.  One could not know if he had rather be a door deeper in the house of God if he did not know what it is. So, let us identify the house of God: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (I Tim. 3:15) The statement modified is I had rather be a door keeper in the church of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Thus, those who obey the gospel and live godly lives compose the church of my God. 

IT DEMANDS SERVICE. Door keeping necessitates service. Now let us take a look at the tents of wickedness to see if we want to give them up or be a doorkeeper. Tents of wickedness refers to anything that comes from a carnal mind. Let us look at the results to see if we want to make that choice. The carnal mind leads to death (hell). The spiritual mind leads to life and peace.  (Romans 8:6). What choice do you make?

IT DEMANDS DISCERNMENT – GOOD JUGEMENT.  Even the man in the world who has good judgment in business matters usually acts foolish relative to the soul. Good judgment is attained by application and exercise, “…who by reason of use have their senses to discern good and evil.” (Heb. 5:8). The person who does not see wrong in drinking and dancing and missing Bible class and Wednesday night service, cannot correctly make this statement.

IT DEMANDS A POSITIVE CHOICE. One can have knowledge and be able to discern good and evil yet make the wrong choice. Moses not only refused to remain in the king’s house, he chose to suffer with God’s people (Hebrews 11:24-26) Those who have “respect to the recompense of reward” will make the right choice also. When one makes a positive choice to serve in the house of God, he will not only refrain from evil, he will actively do the right. When one makes the positive choice to be a doorkeeper in the house of God, he will have the reward.

IT DEMANDS HUMILITY. Keeping doors is a position of low esteem. The high look down on door keeping. They want to do something big. If some cannot do something big, they will do nothing at all. Naaman (2 Kings 5:13) is a good example of this. One may say if I was a preacher or had much money, I would do great things for the Lord. The truth is one can do much with the little he does have. The humble realize their dependance on God. A congregation could not be divided if it was composed of truly humble people. Humble people depend upon God for direction, and think of the welfare others (Phil. 2:3-4).

Being a doorkeeper in the house of God takes much faith and much effort. Is it worth it? Psalms 84:11 gives the answer. ”For the Lord is a sun and a  shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” I repeat “no good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.”

Jesse Jenkins

"Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." (Acts 19:19-20)

Strange and marvelous things occurred during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.  For two years he taught in the school of Tyranus, and the word of God spread through all of Asia.  Paul did extraordinary miracles including curing those possessed with evil spirits.  When Jewish priests attempted to imitate Paul, an evil spirit jumped on the impostors and seized them!  This prompted many in Ephesus to honor the name of Jesus and to publicly burn their books of sorcery.  

Ephesus was a chief seat of black magic during this time.  It was popular to engage in these pretentious “supernatural” acts.  Magicians and astrologers swarmed the streets with a profitable trade of charms, divinations, and rules for interpreting dreams.  By destroying these books the people publicly acknowledged the sinfulness of such practices. 

Accepting Jesus means giving all of our life to him.  Paul commends the Thessalonians for such action:  For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. (I Thessalonians 1:9)  The Christian must learn to completely trust in the living God, and not in the useless idols of the world.  


Receiving Christ requires giving up all that is hateful to him.  How can we say we love Jesus and not shun the devices and deeds that are painful to him?  Jesus demands radical surgery:  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:29)   This involves turning our backs upon all that is unholy and impure.  Old cherished values are abandoned no matter what the cost!

Those lives who are truly converted will have a profound influence upon the neighborhood.  So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (Acts 19:20) This public display got the attention of the people.  There is no better way to win others to Christ than by living examples of the gospel’s power.  When the world witnesses Christians denying worldly pleasure it can be attractive! 

By this marvelous deed the Ephesians removed the temptations that could cause a possible relapse on their lives and opened doors for others to receive Christ!

By George Slover