Rev. Dr. Bishop Carter
Behave Right
Support Text: Romans 12:1-3
In our world today that is challenged seemingly more even in 2020, there is the need to remind people that this is still God’s World. With the troubled times, Protesting for Black Lives Matter, the Pandemic situation, the lost of jobs because of a fallen economy, out right assault on Racial relations by this President, and the catastrophic conditions causing thousands and thousands of death, there is still a need to announce that this is God’s World. Man thinks he is in charge, that he has the answer to the troubles, that he is invisible to the virus whether a disease or morality, that he is in control of the economies survival, that he has the answer to the cure for these catastrophic conditions caused by the Covid-19. But, with all that is occurring about us, ITS GOD’S WORLD. God has stated in His Word ( Genesis 1:1ff), “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...”. It’s God we need to be seeking for the answers to our problems not man. David penned in Psalms 23:1, “ The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want..” It’s God who has the answers not man. Romans 12:1 states “ I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable before God ..” Again God wants us to present ourselves to Him first, not to President Trump, nor the US Senate or House, nor the Republican or Democratic parties, but to Him for He truly is our Lord. Again, it’s God’s World!
I was watching a documentary recently to “Rock Legends” ... this one was on ( one of my favorites) The Infamous James Brown, the God father of Soul! One of his all time great selections was “ It’s a Man World!” It was one of his many greatest hits. I am a product and lived the error of these great R&B, Hip Hop, Rock & Roll, Soul Singing legends of all times But, even James Brown, who produced “ I’m Soul Man, Living in America , & Poppa’s Got a Brand New Bag..” just to name a few ... didn’t really have the answer for humanity then & those alike, our current President, the current American Administration, the CDC, and even all the man made Organizations both good or bad don’t, those who sing the greatest hits or break the records in sports, or those who receive the Noble Peace Prize, and to those alike, can’t give mankind what he really needs: vaccines, laws & orders, or stimulus’s packages & aide, because this is God’s World. We need to Behave the Right Way, we need to respect God and His Word, we need to obey God and follow His will.
The Apostle Paul pens the personal responsibility that man has to God to to obtain true living as a redeemed people in a fallen world. Allow me to mention the guidelines Apostle Paul gives us in the book of Romans 12:1-3 for the behavior God expects from mankind:
1. We are to give ourselves to Christ as a living sacrifice.
God wills that we lean on our faith in him as our Jehovah Jireh, the great provider. Our Hearts must be submissive to God through Jesus the Christ. John 3:16
2. We are not to conform to this world, but be ye transformed... we are to be ye transform by the renewing of our minds. Our minds need to be guided by the Word of God, not the minds of the world. Our hearts are connected to our minds. Our minds most be influenced by godliness, godly morality, and godly disciplines. Ungodly exposure will produce ungodly behavior.
3. We are not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. When we think we are the high ones, that we are in charge of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we are destined to failure. We must have healthy self esteem which excludes an over estimating of ourselves. We aren’t capable of anything that is good or worthy without God through Jesus Christ. Evaluation thru the world to success will cause you to think that the gifts of achievements are because of self rather than saving grace.
Let us always remember had it not been for the Lord on our side where would we be. The Lord promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. -Matthew 28:19-20. I recommend you purposely follow a quotation from my pastorate from the Bethsaida Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky, and that is: “Much Prayer Much Power.” Have you forsaken God? Are you producing “the Right Behavior?” I challenge you to always remember that “This is God’s World” and we are His people.
My Related Prayer:
All mighty God, we come not because we been so good, we come because God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. We come to you on this hour needing you more than silver or gold. I pray that we will realize that you are God all by yourself, Jehovah Jireh, the great Provider, as these troubled times cause us to think you aren’t still in the blessing business. Increase our faith in thee, help us to wait on the Lord and be of good courage and you will strengthen our path. Continue to bless us with your grace and mercy. Much Prayer Much Power.
In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen and Amen.
Rev. Dr. Bishop E. Carter III is the Pastor of Bethsaida Baptist Church, Lexington, KY., Adjunct Faculty, Simmons College of KY & Lexington Theological Seminary, Chief Chaplain & Case Manager (Retired), KY Dept.
of Corrections and Chaplain, 5th District (KY & Tenn.), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
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