In View of God’s Mercy
Greetings to all my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Romans 12:1 says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacriï¬?ces, holy and pleasing toGod… this is your spiritual act of worship.”
The bible calls us to live our lives as living sacriï¬?ces, holy and pleasing to God. That is a high calling for us imperfect human beings. In order to keep our motivation strong in obeying the scripture’s calling, we must focus on the ï¬?rst part of verse one. It says, “IN VIEW OF GOD’S MERCY’.
God’s mercy is such a powerful motivating force. God gave His son Jesus to be sacriï¬?ced for our sins. He had to watch Jesus go through the brutal torture and humiliation of dying on the cross. What more powerful way could God have demonstrated His love for us? He has given us the ultimate sacriï¬?ce of His son. Jesus went to the cross for us willingly. He wasn’t forced or pressured. He knew in order for us to be saved He had to be the ultimate sacriï¬?ce for our sin. And get this, he did it knowing that the majority of humanity would not accept His sacriï¬?ce. Jesus died on the cross for everyone. What was important to Jesus was the fact that if a person would come to their senses before they died, salvation would be there for them.
Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacriï¬?ced once to take away the sins of MANY people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Notice the verse 27 says Christ was sacriï¬?ced once to take away the sins of MANY people. It doesn’t say all people. “God wants all people to be saved by coming to a  knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:4) We need to be so grateful for God’s mercy in our lives! As we wait for Christ’s return to bring salvation to us, we should want to live our lives holy and pleasing to God. We also should want to help people come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Christ is going to appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Keep God’s mercy close to your heart on a daily basis so you will live a life holy and pleasing to God.
Romans 12:2 says, “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.”
We must really have a conviction that the “PATTERN OF THIS WORLD” is going to lead us to hell. The pattern of this world is not holy and pleasing to God. To live a right relationship with God, we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind. To be transformed is to repent of our sins and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The only way to transform ourselves is to get the power of God in our lives.
When I became a Christian I was brought to faith by studying out God’s word. Our faith must be based on the bible to be a saving faith. My friends and some family members thought I was brainwashed because of my TRANSFORMED WAY OF LIFE. My Christianity didn’t match the pattern of the world’s view of Christianity. I committed my life to striving to obey the Bible on a daily basis. I would never be perfect, but in view of God’s mercy, I would never stop striving to live out God’s standard for my life. Well I realized that my friends and family were right! I had been brainwashed! And I agreed with them that I need to have my brain washed on a daily basis through God’s word and through prayer. If I was to continue to renew my mind and transform my way of life away from the pattern of this world, I need a lot of brainwashing! God’s word is amazing because it continues to instruct us on how to live our lives. It also reminds us of His great love and mercy that is with us everyday as we walk with Him.
Life is short, then we get to go to Heaven, Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek
Nov. 12, 2006
To our dear brothers & sisters in the Phoenix International Christian Church:
Wow! We are so encouraged by the love you showed us during our visit to Phoenix. You all have such heart!!!
We especially appreciate the incredible hospitality from Matt, Helen, Melissa, Amanda and Ryan. Every day we met and ate with Robb, Teresa, Tyler and Zack … just like real family.
The fellowship and preaching was awesome, and the true highlight was witnessing the miraculous baptisms of Laci and Keri.
Our love and prayers go out to all of you: Jeremy, David, Luke, Mark, Sonja and Chris, Steve, Brandyn, Scotty, Chad, Kelsey and Jenny (the 2 kindred spirits), and Mary.
Please keep us in your prayers.
God Bless!
XOXO
Michael & Sharon Kirchner
“So the word of God spread …” Acts 6:7
