This post is Day 16 in a series of studies about “A Living Sacrifice”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

A Living Sacrifice – Day 16

Sadly the church has not excelled in being a loving family and many divisions have occurred through the centuries because of a lack of love and forgiveness. Far too many people have been hurt because the church has developed according to plans of man and not those of Father God.

Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

The Thought

We are learning to be living sacrifices! This whole chapter gives us the lessons one by one. It is a picture of what the church should be; a loving family which witnesses to others through their relationships of love and honour.

What does that mean in real life?

Sadly the church has not excelled in being a loving family. Many divisions have occurred through the centuries because of a lack of love and forgiveness. Rules have been imposed by well intentioned leaders, priests and pastors, and far too many people have been hurt because the church has developed according to man’s plans and not those of Father God.

What a blessing it is to live in this day at the beginning of the 21st century when so many of the walls of division are being broken down. Internet is allowing thousands of people from all walks of life and from every country to join with others in Christian meetings of every denomination right across the world, and from the comfort of our own homes.

New small house churches are growing all over the world and these are small loving communities where people care for each other and encourage one another just as I imagine Jesus’ disciples did. They spent a lot of time together, eating, travelling and learning from their master.

They also had a lot of fun. Church can be fun if we allow it to be!

Action

Pray for the church community you are a part of, that they will be the loving group that Jesus would want to spend time with. Pray for an increase in the fun times you have together.

Ask yourself if you honour the others more than yourself. Ask God how you can improve in that area if necessary.