“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. 2- 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.” (Romans 12:1- 2 King
James Version)
We have duties as parents, as children,
as a citizen of our country, as an employee, and as God’s children. Our duty to our family is based on the Word of God and God’s
precepts. Our duty to our country is based on its ordinances and constitution,
the same way in our church. Our duty is to live a godly life, and be obedient to God’s command.
Salvation
and water baptism by immersion are 2 essentials, and prerequisite in our step
to true obedience to God. Separation from sin, lusts, and worldly pleasures
that displeased the Lord will be the battles we need to stand against. Standing
against and living a holy life are the results and testimony of our obedience
to God.
This can
only be done by the grace of God and if we have the fruit of the Spirit. “22- But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law. 24- And
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25- If we live in the Spirit, let
us also walk in the Spirit. 26- Let
us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians
5:22- 26 KJV ) When we surrender our life to God, it’s the manifestation of
what God has done inside of us. But we must also remember that all these can
only be possible by the grace of God, and by His Holy Spirit that is working
within us. We must first give our own selves unto the Lord as apostle Paul here
pressed us to do. It is like the spring board of all duties and obedience. “ And this they did, not as we hoped, but first
gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
(II Corinthians 8:5 KJV)
