The apostle Paul was sent by Jesus to preach and teach the Gentiles his gospel of salvation and this gospel is the foundation of all the churches of Jesus Christ.

Paul said that the power of God is the gospel which is the Word of God and that is Jesus. This means that everything that Jesus taught, commanded and did was God’s Word. Jesus sent his chosen apostles to proclaim his gospel and to make disciple commanding them to obey his teaching and be completely emersed in knowing the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So, every believer in church must be a disciple and follower of Jesus that is maturing in knowing the teachings and commandments of Jesus because they believe in his gospel.

Jesus’ gospel must be true to God’s word, or our faith will not be true to Jesus. That is why Paul said in Philippians that we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Do not take for granted that your faith is true to God when you do not know God’s word.

Jesus told the Pharisees you read the Old Testament Scripture because you think it will give you eternal life, but the OT Scripture was to reveal him. Today we have the Holy Spirit’s New Testament of Jesus’ words that reveals God’s will which is to believe, listen and obey to his Son and you will receive eternal life. This is the new covenant we have with God it is no longer the old covenant which no one could follow and obey to receive the promise land.

Because of God’ grace Paul passionately preached the gospel with the strong desire to save those who were seeking God. This same passion and desire should be in every believer’s heart in church because they believe it is through God’s grace and belief in the gospel of Jesus they are saved and will be with God forever.

Paul teaches in Romans 12, what a believer that love Jesus becomes.

Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Out of love Jesus willingly sacrificed himself to save us so those who are thankful willingly offer their body as a living sacrifice out of our love for Jesus. Paul teaches what a living sacrifice will do.

Romans 12: 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A living sacrifice knows what is and is not conforming to patterns of this world. To do this you must renew your mind and see things from God’s perspective and then you will be able to know what God approves and what pleases his perfect will. Paul teaches what God’s will is which we must renew our minds to obey.

Romans 12: 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

The renewing of our minds begins in the way we fellowship with each other in church as brothers, and sisters in Christ which does not follow the pattern of this world. Paul continues to teach how we must treat everyone including those in this world.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The power of Jesus’ gospel is our faith, a faith that is a living sacrifice.

Be safe in Jesus
Ps. Glenn