My request is for fresh eyes, not theological discussions (those are for not-today)
Colorado Christian University.
Reflect on the Scripture passage below. What does it mean to you? Can you connect this passage to a recent event or circumstance in your life? How? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 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.” Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
“Everyone does it.”
“The world is changing.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Just take it off!”
These are the reoccurring comments I hear every day between 70 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. I am a female Cross Country runner who refuses to take off her shirt to run in central Texas.
Paul was emphatic in encouraging his brothers and sisters in Christ to strive for a pure and holy worship experience in Romans 12:1-2. This apostle pointed out that it is not merely with words of love and songs of praise that we can reach communion with our Precious Maker, but through our bodies. So many people have said that the worlds’ morality is dropping, but I believe it can be better described by a sinusoidal graph. 1, on the y-axis, represents the Plaster-On-A-Smile-Conformist-Nifty-Fifties-Secret-Sinning. The negative 1 stands for Corinth in its more infamous days. The pattern may change, but the sin is always ready and waiting to talk its consequences down, and its pleasures up. This is exactly why Paul calls us to be transformed and renewed!
For me, this quest for holiness starts long before the chastity belt, with the shirt. One of the spiritual gifts I’ve received is encouragement. God’s allowed me the opportunity to stand up for modesty’s sake and exhort others to do the same as a four year member, one year captain, of a successful team. I find alternatives to skimpy swim-tops and suffer through an unexposed belly during the unbearable May to October heat waves. This idea has come across as radical to most of my 26 female teammates (with a few boys noticing too), but I serve a radical God who sent His Son with a radical message; to be Holy as He is Holy. My goal in all of this is not to be boastful, but to offer myself, pleasing to the Lord. I pray that this “spiritual act of worship” would allow me to discern the will of God, but also to illuminate the same to a world conformed.
