June 5, 2022
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
“But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving, one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:20-24; 30-32 (NLT)
To have a transformed life, we must have a transformed heart! How would you describe the condition of your heart? On a scale from 1-10 and 10 being the highest, what would be your score?
There are some things in life that you may have to guess about. However, the are some absolutes! There are some biblical principles and spiritual truths that we all can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is true because God spoke it. God has given us clear instructions in His Word on how we should live.
The first thing that came to mind was, “Barbra, do you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?” Ouch! How do you rate your obedience to God?! His Word is very clear in Matthew 22:37-39. “Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ’Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’
If we are honest with ourselves, there are times when our efforts to know and obey God’s commands can be at best described as “halfhearted.” God wants to give you the power to obey him with all your heart.
As Believers in Christ, God’s first requirement is that we be different from the world. His moral absolutes: practicing love, avoiding shameful permissiveness, and not losing our dignity as God’s image-bearers through any form of irresponsible self-indulgence!
What are Some of the Characteristics of a Transformed Life?
LOVE ~ Love is The Greatest Gift 
~ Romans 12:9-10. “Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.” (NCV)
~ 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 (NCV)
Suffers long: patient, kind, and gentle.
Not jealous: generous
Does not parade itself – humble
Not puffed up – humble.
Does behave rudely – courteous.
Does not seek its own – unselfish.
Is not provoked – has self-control
Thinks no evil – forgets.
Does not rejoice in iniquity – does not rejoice in other’s sin
Rejoice in the TRUTH – genuine
Bears all things – endures
Believes all things: trusting.
Hopes all things – hopeful and optimistic.
Endures all things – will last.
LOVE Never Fails
1 Corinthians 3:21-22b & 23. “I don’t want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift, the world, life, death, the present, the future all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God.” (MSG)
JOYOUS – Believing in Christ gives us JOY!
Philippians 1:25-26. “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.” (ASV)
Ephesians 2:12. “That ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” (ASV)
PRAYERFUL – The Transformed Life is Steadfast in Prayer!
1 Thessalonians 5:17. “Pray without ceasing.” (ASV)
James 5:16. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (NLT)
JOYOUS – Believing in Christ gives us JOY!
Philippians 1:25-26. “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.” (ASV)
FORGIVING – The Transformed Life is a Life of Forgiving!
Mark 11:24-25. “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (NLT)
A SACRIFICIAL 
HEART Romans 12:1 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.” (NLT)
How great is your sacrifice? It gains you eternal life in Christ There is a cost to following Jesus because He was willing to pay the price and you are His body. The Devil is quick to reveal the cost of obedience, but he conceals the price of disobedience, never experiencing the joy of following Christ, and depriving your children of seeing God at work; suffering the consequences of your sin, and having your relationship with the God damaged because you are not obedient because you would not follow Christ!
FATHER GOD: Thank You, for the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus making it possible for us to be born-again. Thank You for performing a heart transplant, changing our hearts from sin-focused to God-focused. Thank You in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.