Romans 12:1 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." 2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
It is reasonable that, as a result of the grace that we have received through Christ and by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, we continually seek to know (both understand and experience) the ways of God, which are always good, acceptable, and perfect. Not so much for the sake of how it affects life around us, but for the sake of it's affect on us. "For this is the will of God, your sanctification." 1 Thessalonians 4:3 And, 1 Peter 2:15 "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
And therein lies my struggle. I find that I am often frustrated by those in authority around me, as I disagree with some of their decisions and direction. It is not something that comes naturally to me, as my ambitions rise up and compel me toward my goals, to honor them anyways. Scripture teaches us to place ourselves as sacrifices for the whims of others, but not as victims complaining or congratulating ourselves for our pious suffering. We are called to serve in every aspect of our lives, and this to the glory of God. This, as His witnesses. We have received a service beyond comprehension, that God came down to supersede His own religious system to set us free to love, in love, by His love. And this is our testimony, not just by the things that we say, but by the lives we live in service to others.
Serving those who take advantage of you, like humanity took advantage of Christ on the cross, will never get easy. But this is what we are to prepare for. This is what Scripture calls, "your spiritual worship," which could also be translated "your reasonable service."
1Peter 1:13 "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 14 "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance," 15 "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct," 16 "since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”"
Our "former ignorance" protects itself from the others, but the holiness of God conducts itself in service to others and not for selfish personal gain. But for the benefit of those in need.
As we deal with the effects of the decisions those in authority over us may have on us, remember the service that Christ provided at the cross. He served, and as we have received so should we give. And this is the will of God.
