Bible Pathway - November 22

Read Romans 11

Highlights:

Israel yet to be saved; duties of a Christian; believer's attitude toward civil government.

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. 12:2).

It is God's will for you to know His perfect will so that He may work through your life unhindered. It amazes many that He has a perfect will for their lives. Jesus has a plan laid out specifically tailored to each of our lives. Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Heb. 13:21). Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17).

The will of God is two-fold: First, to reveal His Son in us; and Second, to reveal his Son through us. We want the world to see Jesus in us, so that they might know we want the best for their lives. We want Jesus to be revealed through us so that we know we are allowing Jesus to work through us.

When we came to know the Lord as our personal saviour, we became the Temple of the living God (1 Cor. 6:19). This fulfilled His purpose to reveal His Son in us.

If the second purpose of God's will is to become reality, our three enemies, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) must lose their hold upon us. This requires that we become a living sacrifice. A crucifixion of self-life must take place. We daily crucify the old man. This is our sin nature. This is the part of us that needs to die out so the new creation can live. 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).

God's method of dealing with the penalty of sin was the crucifixion of His Son. His method of dealing with the power of sin in a Christian's life is the crucifixion of the believer. The Apostle Paul said I die daily (1 Cor. 15:31). Any measure of experiencing that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God requires His control over us, that the life of Christ can be fully displayed in and through us. We will shine bright in this world for God. Hopefully, this will draw others to Christ.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

Thought for Today:

True discipleship requires death to the self-life, a clean break with sin, and fighting a battle of faith.

Cross References:

For Rom. 11:3: See I Kin. 19:10,14. Rom. 11:4: See I Kin. 19:18. Rom. 11:8: See Is. 29:10. Rom. 11:9-10: See Ps. 69:22-23. Rom. 11:26-27: See Is. 59:20-21; Jer. 31:33. Rom. 11:34: See Is. 40:13. Rom. 11:35: See Job 41:11. Rom. 12:19: See Deut. 32:35. Rom. 12:20: See Prov. 25:21-22. Rom. 13:9: See Ex. 20:13-17; Lev. 19:18.

Word Studies:

11:14 emulation, jealousy; 12:9 dissimulation, hypocrisy; 13:13 rioting and drunkenness . . . chambering and wantonness, unbridled lust, immorality and indecency.

Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake all sin (Is. 59:12-13).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:13