Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents
Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 1 – Shadows of the Kingdom – Chapter 3 – The image-bearers
Self-sacrificing and forgiving
[Bible references: Romans 6:4-5; 12:1-21; James 2:12-14; 1 Peter 2:10-12]
Our life in God does not begin with anything we have done but rather with the sacrifice made by Christ Jesus, the perfect sacrifice that was made on our behalf to reconcile us to God. When by baptism we join him in his death, we can also be united with him in his resurrection. It is that resurrection power that enables us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, to worship him by continually dying to our sins[1] and offering ourselves to the service of God and to others. And just as the mercies of God flow into our lives, so those mercies should flow over into the mercy we extend to others on God’s behalf.
[1] Piper, John, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” Desiring God, 13 June 2004, www.desiringgod.org/messages/present-your-bodies-as-a-living-sacrifice-to-god; Wayne, Luke. “What does it mean to be a living sacrifice” Carm carm.org/about-bible-verses/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-living-sacrifice/; Gidley, James S. “A Living Sacrifice,” Orthodox Presbyterian Church opc.org/cce/livingsacrifice.html
Reflect
God did not need to rescue us, but He did, even though it required great sacrifice. As you ponder that, think of how you can show love to those around you?
Observe
Read James 2:12-14. Can a person who exhibits no mercy truly have faith in Jesus?
Dancing In The Kingdom 