"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.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
Romans 12:1-5
I like the idea of transforming (growing, changing, becoming something better and cooler) rather than conforming (becoming the same as everyone else). :) But I am getting ahead of myself. :)
The first verse is great because it talks about a living sacrifice... like *living* for something, rather than dying for it. I think it usually takes a lot more effort to live for what you believe. And I think this "reasonable service" that God asks really IS reasonable. He knows what we can do, and he gives us the power to do it.
I like the renewing of your mind part too... sometimes we pack so much trash into our minds that we need some renewing... or sometimes we need some renewing just because our minds get darkened and we can't see the light clearly. But when our minds are renewed, we can see God's light clearly and there is no question what God's will is. And then, humility again... we shouldn't ever think that we are the supreme rulers of the universe and that everyone else is around to do our bidding. :) God has given us all different levels of faith... different gifts... and we NEED each other, in order to build our faith, share our gifts... and learn more talents. We might be the very best at something, but in other areas, we aren’t that great, and we need someone else to help us get closer to acceptable. :) We should never assume, just because we have so much to teach, that we have nothing to learn. Everyone has something that we need... and we have something that other people need. We build Zion together, and we succeed or fail, as a nation and as a community, together.
No-one is going to be saved alone... we work out our own salvation, but that effort involves other people... and nothing that we do affects only ourselves, though sometimes it would be nice to think so. God says, if ye are not one, ye are not mine. We all have to do our part, but as members of a team... a friendship, a family, a community... a nation, a church... a Zion people. In a very real way, we are part of each other, and need each other… the way that an arm needs an elbow, or a body needs a heart. Not optionally. :) Today, let’s work together with the people around us to build something positive, rather than trying to go it alone… let’s transform rather than conform. :)
Regarding foregiveness, please read the first century Ribi Yehoshuas ha-Mashiakhs (the Messiah’s) from Nazareth’s teachings instead of Pauls...
ReplyDeleteLe-havdil,
Ribi Yehoshua ha-Mashiakh (the Messiah) from Nazareth’s authentic teachings reads:
[Torah, Oral Law & Hebrew Matityahu: Ribi Yehoshua Commanded Non-Selective Observance
The Netzarim Reconstruction of Hebrew Matityahu (NHM) 5:17-20]
[Glossaries found in the website below.]:
"I didn't come to subtract from the Torâh of Moshëh or the Neviim, nor to add onto the Torah of Moshëh did I come. Because, rather, I came to [bring about the] complete [i.e., non-selective] observance of them in truth.
Should the heavens and ha-Aretz exchange places, still, not even one י or one of the Halâkhâh of the Torah of Moshehshall so much as exchange places; toward the time when it becomes that they are all being performed -- i.e., non- selectively -- in full.
For whoever deletes one [point of] the Halâkhâh of these mitzwot from Torah, or shall teach others such, [by those in] the Realm of the heavens he shall be called 'deleted.' And whoever ratifies and teaches them shall be called ' Ribi' in the Realm of the heavens.
For I tell you that unless your tzәdâqâh is over and above that of the [Hellenist-Roman Pseudo- Tzedoqim] Codifiers of halakhah, and of the Rabbinic- Perushim sect of Judaism, no way will you enter into the Realm of the heavens." (see NHM)
Quote from www.netzarim.co.il ; “History Museum”
The reconstruction is made using a scientific and logic methodology. One of the premises is that the historical Ribi Yehoshua was a Torah-observant Pharisee (why that premise is true is found in the above website, in which you also will find more information about why a reconstruction is needed).
The historical Ribi Yehoshua and his followers Netzarim observed Torah non-selectively. The above website proofs that the person who want to follow the historical Ribi Yehoshua must do likewise.
This is what Ribi Yehoshua taught and he taught in accordance with Torah, that anyone who adds a mitzwah (directive or military style order) or removes a mitzwah from Torah is a false prophet.
Anders Branderud
Anders, thanks so much for your comment. I do understand that Judaism's teachings don't include the scripture that I used above as truth. I don't believe that, as a Christian, but I respect your belief. I am not sure how that applies to the idea of forgiveness though... unless you were just saying that I need to be forgiven for using a scripture outside the Jewish canon. If you meant more than that, sorry I didn't understand, but feel free to elaborate.
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