Nougat 14

Remember when Jesus proposed that if a body part Was a threat to our salvation, remove it? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

– If we were to take that literally would we be living with a visible disability/(ies)?

Since God’s our only witness, we are welcome to be honest. At least with ourselves. For from the nougat we note that we are often instrumentalized for sinful actions (evil). And if that’s the case then it suggests that we must be conscious at all times; for the one who wishes to instrumentalize our bodies really has no regard for us.

Some might argue it begins with our minds; since most perhaps all of our habits originate there. Are we ready to remove our minds?

But before we stop there; what about our feet? – For surely we might be guilty of ‘walking-standing-sitting’ with the wrong crowd at times. And we could genuinely argue that we have been led astray unawares. Erm – let the feet go?

What about the tongue – the bane of our lives? We gossip from time to time, we lie, we curse. Maybe not all of us or all the time, but … tongues out?

And for some of us, it’d be our hands. I know, we’re ready to say hold up, I don’t steal. And you are right. Maybe. While we’re at it let’s double check the little things at the restaurant or work, or what we may have received knowing it wasn’t bought by the giver or worse yet; contributed to trafficking of some kind? Nor should we forget abusive hands … hands off also?

And some may lose our reproductive organs subsequent to rape or abusive actions towards another. Yes that is offensive to God, and could thus be cause for surgery. Maybe we overindulge – that’s our eyes or mouths and stomachs. We are called to practice self-control, so we can’t overlook that either.

Lastly, though there could be more, I bring us back to the hidden sins in our hearts. The not so nice thoughts we harbor towards others; the responses we give while pretending all is well, and our moments of hypocrisy. Those are also serious challenges to our spiritual life – hearts out.

While the listing above might seem to be sarcastic or amusing; it’s very far from my intent. The aim is to help us see the extent of un/conscious sin. And to help us visualize the extent of our spiritual disabilities – if left untreated. For we may be walking around thinking we are well and been living a lie.

Rather than pruning or surgical removal, we are offered God’s grace to pour the Blood of Jesus over each sin spot like a balm. After we acknowledge our sin, and honestly offer the different issues over to Him. You see, it’s like my friend once said, the doctor can only fix what we present as broken or hurting.

What God offers through Jesus Christ and the transforming power of God’s Spirit, is new life. An opportunity for total one of a kind spiritual transformation. And with the transformation, a testimony. For sure, when others recognize that we have been beneficiaries of divine makeovers (ie renewal, or being born again), it’s likely that some will be inclined to do likewise. And since these procedures are mostly a cost to our pride and may restore our integrity; let’s take advantage of God’s offer lest our issues become real liabilities in our daily lives.

Lord

Thanks for grace that transforms. Please take all of me as I need a right now makeover right now. Forgive my sins and restore me to wholeness I pray in Jesus name amen.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ