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Worship IX Day 7 Acceptable Worship: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Acceptable Worship!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to present “your bodies as a living sacrifice” as means of worshipping God? (verse 1)

2) What does it mean to “be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)

3) How are we to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”? (verse 2)

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.  2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to present “your bodies as a living sacrifice” as means of worshipping God? (verse 1)
Part of Old Testament worship rituals involved priests presenting animal sacrifices to the Lord. People would bring different animals according to the type of offering they needed to make and according to their economic status. Author Fred Zaspel explains that this “sacrificial system established the structure and frame of reference with regard to God’s redemptive purpose: Sinners may obtain divine favor if an acceptable substitute could be found to offer to God in sacrifice.” New Testament citizens were still familiar with this system, and Paul used the concept of a living sacrifice to get their attention. Author, Jerry Flury, notes that “The Old Testament worshiper brought animals to the temple, to be killed and laid on the altar. Paul reversed the imagery. Bring yourself to the altar. But do not DIE for God: LIVE for Him!” God wants us to love Him with everything we have: body, heart, mind, and soul. (Mark 12:30) For us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God, we need to follow His ways (Proverbs 21:3), and abstain from doing those things that go against His holiness (Ephesians 5:11). Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices because he knows God gives us the grace to obey Him. (Romans 1:5) God wants our surrendered love in following Him more than anything. (1 John 5:3) Giving Him everything we are by loving Him through obedience is our true worship of God.

2) What does it mean to “be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)
Paul implores his readers, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) The Greek word for conformed, suschematizo, means to form or mold one’s behavior in accordance with a particular pattern or set of standards.” (preceptaustion.org) Paul warns Roman Christians to be diligent against adopting the ways of the culture they live in with its many ungodly customs and traditions. J. B. Phillips expresses this caution as “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould…”. Paul knew how easy it is to let the ways of the world we live in negatively influence our words and actions. This applies to us today as our word choice, manner of dress, media consumption, and spending habits are all shaped by the customs and norms of the age we live in. It is easy to let the movies, music, and pastimes we enjoy crowd out God’s Word and God’s ways in our lives. It is tempting to agree with the culture’s perspective on sin and pleasure because these prevailing beliefs strike such a stark contrast with the Bible’s teaching. Speaking against them may bring us unwanted negative attention. However, God warns us that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. (James 4:4) This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a night at the movies or wearing the latest trends. However, we should make daily decisions alongside a commitment to renew our minds by God and His Word, so we are guarded against embracing the things of this world that are passing away. (Romans 12:2)

3) How are we to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”? (verse 2)
The apostle Paul tells us that to remain unchanged by the ways of the world, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds; it’s our safeguard. (Romans 12:2) Paul contends that we can change our minds, and our pattern of thinking, by renewing our minds. Richard Chenevix Trench suggests that renewing our minds “is the gradual conforming of the man more and more to that new spiritual world into which he has been introduced and in which he now lives and moves…the restoration of the divine image.” Renewing our minds is becoming more like Jesus by spending time in prayer and in reading and meditating on the Word of God. The Bible even teaches us what to meditate on in Philippians 4:8 when Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” Spending mental focused energy on these subjects helps us effectively renew our minds and transform our lives. Paul also tells us in Romans 8:5 that if we live by the Spirit then we will set our minds on things of the Spirit. Turning away from a mind set on the flesh and choosing to think about things of the Spirit as a willful act requiring practice and discipline. I am so grateful God makes it possible for us to change the way we think and who we are by dwelling on His Word and allowing His truths to make us new!

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to present “your bodies as a living sacrifice” as means of worshipping God? (verse 1)
As a little girl, I heard a message from a missionary family at church. While I enjoyed their happy pictures and stories about life on the mission field, I felt slightly panicked that God would call me to make such sacrifices someday. I didn’t realize then that all Christians, not just missionaries, are called by God to worship Him by presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) My own service to God eventually came in the work of being a teacher and parent, and I quickly realized that things went much better when I surrendered my will to His. I wish that meant I quickly obeyed, but it was (and still is) difficult for me to unclench my tight grasp on my own grand plans and embrace what God has in store for me. That is why Paul likens this form of worship to sacrifice. I am giving up my will, my way, and my control to let God work in and through me to accomplish His much better plans. (Philippians 2:13) It is choosing to honor God first that pleases Him so well. Author, David Guzik, asserts, “The holiness we bring to the altar is a decision for holiness, and yielding to the work of holiness in our life. As we present our bodies a living sacrifice, God makes our life holy by burning away impurities.” When I open my hands and heart to give God full permission to be the Lord of everything, He forms me and fits me for the good plans He has for me. (Ephesians 2:10) Faith in God’s goodness requires us to let go and trust God’s gracious goodness. It can feel like loss, but true surrender brings much gain! (Matthew 16:24-26)

2) What does it mean to “be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)
My favorite author, Jane Austen, wrote only six complete novels. Recent writers have outdone themselves publishing prequels, sequels, and modern re-imaginings of her work, which I enjoy reading. However, it irks me when these authors try to write 21st century ideals and morals into a late 18th century author’s world. What we find acceptable today would have been shocking and unthinkable in Jane’s world. These attempts to conform present day morality into storylines from centuries ago usually end up as ridiculous. As it often does, the present age seeks to impose its standards on the world, even the world of a late 18th century novelist of manners and morals. The apostle Paul warns against this onslaught of conformity in Romans 12:2. He urges Christians to give themselves wholly to God and not let the customs of the culture seep into their hearts and minds. It can be the path of least resistance to accept what everyone else accepts, rationalizing that a broader appeal will attract more people and that alienating truths should be avoided. However, this is not the path to life. Jesus tells us the way that leads to destruction is broad, and many take it. (Matthew 7:13) In following God, we must accept His grace to help us adhere to His standards and refuse to become like the world in its sinful lifestyle. We can rejoice that His Holy Spirit empowers us to follow Christ and not conform to this age!

3) How are we to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”? (verse 2)
Sometimes I find myself getting off course in my spiritual walk. I veer off the mark gradually; each little step in the wrong direction doesn’t have much effect until one day I realize I’m not where I want to be at all. What often sets me off on the wrong path is what my pastor calls stinkin’ thinkin’. I allow subtle lies about myself, or the nature of God, to affect my mind and my perspective. Getting back on course is possible once I first recognize that my thoughts do not reflect God’s truths. The Bible tells us we can demolish those thoughts that are against God and take all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) I can change my thoughts and renew my mind by learning and recalling what God says about me and Himself in His Word. Christine Caine asserts, “To do what God has called us to do and be who He made us to be, we need to let His Words frame our thoughts, influence our hearts, and be the power that propels us forward.” The more His truths become ingrained in our hearts and minds, the less likely we are to get tripped up by that which contradicts His Word. We are less likely to believe the lies of Satan when we are living out the truths of Christ in our daily lives. We will notice a little misstep sooner, and correct our thinking, before we go very far in the wrong direction. This is living a life transformed by the Word of God!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship IX Week Two!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Worship IX Day 6 Acceptable Worship

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 12:1-2
Isaiah 58:3-10
John 4:23-24
James 1:22-25

Worship IX, Day 6

In the days before COVID, there were 350,000 congregations in the United States  and  less than 24% of members attended worship service on a weekly basis.
I wonder, has our worship become ritualistic?
What does worship mean to us, and is it acceptable to God?

The word worship comes from an Old English word, “weorpscip,” which means “to give worth to.” In a biblical context, the Hebrew word for worship is shachah, which means to depress, to fall down, or to lay prostrate before a deity; these are the physical manifestations of holding God in reverence, honor, and esteem. A right understanding of how God is infinitely greater and forever worthy of our humble adoration is the place to begin true worship.

When God imparted the Ten Commandments to Moses, He rightly began by mandating He alone would be the focus of Israel’s worship. (Exodus 20:1-3) The Israelites began to worship, in part, through offering sacrifices; the sacrifices were looking ahead to when the Messiah would come as the ultimate sacrifice.

Today, we worship by honoring God and presenting our lives
as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him.
(Romans 12:1)

As early as the second generation of humankind, God emphasized the importance of acceptable worship. Cain and Abel brought offerings before the Lord, but Cain’s offering was rejected, while Abel’s was received. (Genesis 4:3-7) How we worship matters!

During the time of the prophet Isaiah, God made clear the worship the Israelites offered to Him was not acceptable. He knew they were in a spiritual stupor, with hearts blind and deaf to God’s leading. (Isaiah 29:9-16) With elaborate public demonstrations of worship, they appeared to be receiving the word of God, but the true content of what they received had no impact on them.

Their lives were unchanged, and their worship was meaningless. (Isaiah 58:3-10)

In Hosea 6:6, God explains,
“For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Yet, even in Jesus’ day, the Pharisees (religious leaders) displayed the same affinity for empty rituals. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus states, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.”

Over time, rituals have been built into modern Christian faith; even in denominations without explicit rituals, many churches follow a format categorized as “ritualistic.” To be clear, the problem doesn’t usually lie in rituals or traditions themselves; the problem lies in our hearts, when we check a “religious duty” box, but our spirits remain far from God and our day-to-day lives reflect nothing of Him. Our fallen natures crave the explicit simplicity of performance over the messy, slow change inherent in responding to God’s transforming work in our spirits.

Yet worship in spirit, and in truth, is the acceptable worship God desires.
John 4:23-24 reveals, “But an hour is coming, and now is here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.”

Are we focusing on the message and truth of Jesus Christ?
Are we engaging, with both our hearts and our heads, in preparation for worship?
Do we have strong affections for God, rooted in truth?

Consider Isaiah’s response to encountering the Living God in Isaiah 6:5:
“Then I said, ‘Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Armies.’” 

Having seen God in holiness, Isaiah confessed his own sin and was cleansed.
Repentance is a necessary part of acceptable worship.

Peter had a similar reaction in Luke 5:8 when he encountered Christ, falling to his knees and crying, “Go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord!” Our sins are ugly when compared to God’s beauty and righteousness.
Acceptable worship includes confession and mourning of sin,
and bold declaration of our desperate need for God’s grace and mercy.

Sisters, let’s evaluate our hearts with honesty and vulnerability.
Like the Israelites of Isaiah’s time, of Hosea’s time, of Jesus’ time, have we become locked into the well-trod and self-deceiving way of empty talk and performance?
Are we hearing and responding to the word of God?

James 1:22 exhorts us, “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

In what ways is God challenging us to offer acceptable worship to Him?

Is He calling us to confession and repentance?

Is He asking us to come away from distractions and turn our hearts to Him, so we can hear His voice?

Is He waiting for us to respond to His leading, partnering with His transforming Spirit to make change in the small, daily spaces of our lives?

For here, in the Spirit-empowered daily rejection of sin’s pull and embrace of the way of Jesus, acceptable worship is discovered.

Be encouraged, sisters, for though the work is hard, the worshiper who strives to live a life that truly glorifies and honors God will uncover an inexhaustible resource of power and purpose God reserves for His true worshipers.

“For those who honor Me I will honor.” (1 Samuel 2:30)

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship IX Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship IX!

Worship IX Day 3 Trust & Obedience

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Daniel 1:1-8
Daniel 6:1-28
Romans 12:1-2
1 Peter 2:11-12

Worship IX, Day 3

When you think of worship, what comes to mind?

For many, including myself, the first thing is probably music or singing. It’s a common way to express our worship, and it is certainly something often featured in the Bible, but it’s not the full picture.

Scripture speaks of worship as a response to God that goes far beyond the words we sing. We are called to worship not only with our voices, but with our lives.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.” (Romans 12:1)

One great example of living worship is Daniel.

Exiled to Babylon, far from Israel’s home, in a place where everything was different from food to language, to culture, to his new name, and the false gods they worshipped, “Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank.” (Daniel 1:8)

From the beginning of his time as a captive in a foreign land, Daniel is intentional about honouring God. As his story unfolds, his commitment is demonstrated both in his small everyday choices and in his response to major, even life-threatening, situations.

In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a puzzling dream and insists his astrologers tell him not only the meaning of the dream, but also its content. It’s an impossible task, which leads him to order the execution of all his wise men until Daniel steps in.

Responding “with tact and discretion” (Daniel 2:14), Daniel asks for more time and immediately turns to God. On receiving the answer he needs, he is careful to honour God as he stands before the king.

“No wise man, medium, magician, or diviner is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen in the last days.” (Daniel 2:27-28)

As Daniel’s story continues, we see his first allegiance is always to God. He is respectful to each of the kings of Babylon, but he is unwilling to compromise on matters of faith, and he is bold in speaking truth even when it isn’t what the king wants to hear.

Perhaps Daniel’s biggest challenge comes many years into his time in Babylon. By this time, his life of worship to God has won him a great deal of respect. He is viewed as trustworthy and highly capable, and when King Darius takes the throne, Daniel is promoted. However, his success has also stirred up jealousy and resentment among others who serve the king.

Recognizing his faith is the only way to accuse Daniel, they persuade the king to make a law stating that for 30 days, all who pray to any god or person other than the king must be thrown into the lions’ den. It is a huge test of Daniel’s faith and obedience, but it doesn’t appear to take Daniel long to work out how to respond.

“When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (Daniel 6:10)

Daniel’s obedience worships God by expressing trust in His sovereignty. He knows the consequences of his actions could be severe, but he chooses to honour God by continuing to pray as he has always done, leaving the outcome in God’s hands.

In this case, God miraculously rescues Daniel, but his faith does not depend on a miracle; it is firmly rooted in God’s character. His attitude is the same as that expressed by three of his fellow-Jews on facing a similar threat:

“If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” (Daniel 3:17)

Their determination, and Daniel’s, is to worship God and honour Him no matter what, and we see this expressed in their faithful obedience.

While we may not face a lions’ den or a blazing furnace, we are, in a sense, “strangers and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) here on earth, and we will face challenges as we live out our faith among unbelievers. Daniel’s example shows the importance of faithful, everyday worship in preparing us for those moments when we may have to take a stand, and it also illustrates the impact our actions can have in glorifying God and drawing others to worship Him!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship IX Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship IX!

Worship IX Day 2 The Great Experience: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Great Experience!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice”? How is this “true worship”? (verse 1)

2) What is the difference between being conformed and being transformed? (verse 2)

3) Why is it important to understand God’s will; is it even possible? (verse 2)

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice”? How is this “true worship”? (verse 1)
It’s important to keep a couple of things in mind as we work our way through this passage. First, the book of Romans is a letter written by the apostle Paul to house churches in Rome. Paul is teaching these new believers how to live out their daily lives following Jesus. In saying, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”, Paul’s meaning is to “worship God with all you’ve got – head to toe”. Worshiping just one God was a relatively new thing for Roman citizens as it was common to worship many gods. (Acts 17:22-23) There are a couple of clues in the first verse that can help us dig a little deeper. The first word is “Therefore” meaning that what follows is referring back to what was already stated. Hint: Anytime you read therefore in Scripture, it should prompt you to read the previous section to pick up the author’s meaning. If we go back a few verses to Romans 11:33-36, we read a short hymn of praise where Paul is reflecting on God’s greatness. He sings in verse 33 “Oh, the depth of the riches of both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”. Paul is leading these readers to think about what they have learned about Jesus and worship Him with their entire lives. It’s also important to remember that “whole life worship” wasn’t a new idea; numerous references in the Old Testament speak of the call to all-consuming worship. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) God designed us to love and worship Him with that we’ve got!

2) What is the difference between being conformed and being transformed? (verse 2)
Let’s look at the original language and its definitions for these two words to help our outstanding. First, “conformed” in Greek is “syschematizo’‘ meaning “to fashion or shape one thing like another”. In this context, Paul chose syschematizo to convey living in such a way as “to be or act like everyone else”. The Greek word for “transformed” is “metamorphoo”, which literally means to “change forms, or undergo a complete change under the power of God in character or conduct”. This leads us right back to the idea of “whole life worship” that Paul is pressing upon his readers. These believers’ lives should look radically different than the everyday lives of Roman citizens who didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. Paul wrote a very similar instruction to the church in Ephesus, “take off your former way of life” and “be renewed in the Spirit in your minds”. (Ephesians 4:20-23) Paul is encouraging the early church in Rome to confidently know they are on the right track of following Jesus when their everyday lives didn’t match with non-believers’ lives.

3) Why is it important to understand God’s will; is it even possible? (verse 2)
Once we give our lives to Jesus, we’ve relinquished our desires to Christ. Our lives now exist in Jesus and His will for us. (Colossians 3:3) Abandoning ourselves to Christ requires denial of self and daily surrender to His will above our own. This was just as true and important for the original readers of this letter as it is for us today. Paul urges his readers to give their entire lives including body, mind, and soul, over to God. The Lord intends us to follow Him while holding nothing back but instead fully surrendering our all to Him. Paul calls this “true worship” which means that part of worshiping Jesus is trusting Him with our everything. For the original readers, knowing and understanding God’s will for their lives would have been a new concept. They didn’t grow up hearing or being taught to live by God’s will. They likely worshiped many gods and their worship was primarily centered on offering the right sacrifices to the right god at the right time. Now Paul instructs them to give themselves as an act of worship by surrendering the entirety of their common, everyday moments to the One True God. Worshiping God wholeheartedly naturally positions us to not only be discerning of God’s will for our lives, but also leads us to increasingly desire the Lord’s ways while His Spirit equips us with courage to obey Christ as Lord.

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice”? How is this “true worship”? (verse 1)
Our application today is much the same as it was for the churches in Rome; we are to be “all in” for Jesus every single day. The same head-to-toe whole life worship is how we, as Jesus followers, are urged to live. There is another word in this verse we should carefully consider as we study the idea of “whole life worship”; sacrifice. We may not be as familiar with this concept today as the Romans were, so let’s return to its original language and meaning. The Greek word for sacrifice is “thusia”, primarily meaning “an offering”. Interestingly, this is the same word used to describe when Jesus “sacrificed” Himself on the cross. This way of life that Paul urges us to choose is one of complete offering, and total surrender of ourselves to Jesus. In a way when we choose to live this way, we are saying “Here is my entire life, Jesus; all my hopes, dreams, desires, successes, failures, and my physical life itself. I’m giving it all to You to do with as you please and direct.” It’s easy to see why Paul calls this “true worship”. Sacrificial living isn’t something we can, or should, do on a whim, for it takes determination, humility, and prayer to be successful. Living “all in” for Jesus will not be easy. Jesus says it Himself in Matthew 7:14, “…difficult is the road that leads to life, few will find it.” But, if we are willing, Jesus will take our meager sacrifice of whole life worship and accomplish His amazing work through us! (2 Corinthians 12:9)

2) What is the difference between being conformed and being transformed? (verse 2)
Being conformed and transformed are two completely different ways of living. Let’s go back and take another look at Ephesians 4:20-32 for practical applications on how to live transformed. I love Paul’s wording here, he makes it so easy to understand and I’ve added my own paraphrase as well. “Put away (just get rid of it) lying, don’t give the devil an opportunity, don’t steal, but do honest work, watch your language, encourage and build others up. Let go (I imagine singing “let it go” from Frozen when I read these words!) of anger, bitterness, shouting and slander. Forgive others just like Jesus forgave you.” (my paraphrase) I’ll be honest enough to admit that conforming is much easier many times. Not many people today want to stand out or be different, especially when doing so makes you unpopular and, in some cases, an easy target for ridicule. Living a life transformed by Jesus however, is fueled by a strength that is not from ourselves but from His Spirit living inside us. Jesus says in John 14:18 and 26, “I will not leave you as orphans, I am coming to you” and “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit will be sent to you and will teach you everything in my name.” We are called to live transformed lives, but we are NOT called to do it on our own; we have God’s own Spirit living within us! What new ground will you confidently take in your life as you press against being conformed to the world and transformed by Christ?!

3) Why is it important to understand God’s will; is it even possible? (verse 2)
Understanding God’s will is one of those things we often make harder than God designed. From the very beginning of Genesis in the Bible, we learn that God created man to be dependent on Him. Full of pride, however, mankind chose independence over dependence and we’ve been fighting that same battle over and over again ever since the Garden of Eden. God’s will for each of us is that we live completely surrendered and fully dependent on Him while enjoying Him forever. Remember earlier when we talked about how truly worshipping God means entrusting our entire lives to Him? This means we don’t need to know or understand the details. Yes, I get how hard this is, especially for those of us who like to have a well-thought-out plan with bullet points for tracking and checking stuff off as we finish. Being really honest, I’d also like to have a backup plan, just in case, but this isn’t how God works. He gives us exactly what we need, precisely when we need it. When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus says, “give us today our daily bread”. (Matthew 6:11) He doesn’t tell us to ask Him for everything we need for next month while showing us where and how to get it. He instructs us to simply ask, then trust Him to provide. Yes, we need to pray and seek God’s will and direction for our lives, but we can’t allow ourselves to get bogged down in needing all the details. Our primary job is to honor Him with whole life worship.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Great Experience!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship IX Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Nations Day 14 Created To Participate: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Created To Participate!

The Questions

1) How does giving greater honor to the less honorable prevent division in the body of Christ? (verse 24b)

2) What does it mean to desire the greater gifts? (verse 31)

3) Why is having love more important than having any of the other gifts mentioned in this passage? (verses 1-3)

1 Corinthians 12:24b-13:7

24 (…) Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

13:1 If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Original Intent

1) How does giving greater honor to the less honorable prevent division in the body of Christ? (verse 24b)
Paul writes, “God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable.” (1 Corinthians 12:24b) Paul has been comparing the members of Christ’s church to the parts of a physical body. He says in 1 Corinthians 12:23, “those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect,  which our respectable parts do not need.” Author, Thomas Constable, explains, “When dealing with our human bodies we bestow more honor on our less honorable parts by covering them up. This makes our unseemly members more seemly. . . On the other hand, the more honorable parts, such as our faces, do not require special covering.” Paul suggests we do the same kind of thing with all members of the body of Christ, whether they are considered important or unremarkable. If the less honorable, or the less visible, members of the body of Christ are given honor, then those on the platform in high-profile positions won’t seem like their work is more important or that they are more valuable than the guy who does the necessary but more mundane tasks. As David Guzik describes, “The pride of the honorable member is checked, as is the shame of the less honorable member.” When the behind-the-scenes person is viewed as just as essential to the Church as the folks in the spotlight, then the church is working together in unison, able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world.

2) What does it mean to desire the greater gifts? (verse 31)
In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul exhorted the church to “desire the greater gifts.” He admonished them to work together, using their gifts to build Christ’s church. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 he described God’s gifts to the church, “first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.” This seems to set up a hierarchy of gifts, with those listed first as having greater importance, but in the preceding verses, Paul emphasized that all the members of the body are equally important to the functioning of the church. “But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.  And if they were all the same part, where would the body be?” (1 Corinthians 12:18-19) Instead, Paul told the Corinthians there was an even better way. (1 Corinthians 12:31) He then explained that love is greater than all the gifts. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) The ICC New Testament Commentary explains, “The Corinthians coveted the greater gifts, but they had formed a wrong estimate as to which were the greater. The Hymn of Love, which follows, is to guide them to a better decision: not those which make most show, but those which do most good, are the better.” Paul wanted the church to know that God’s gifts, no matter how dazzling or powerful, were of no value if they were not exercised in love. Even sacrificing your body would gain you nothing if it were done for show and not love. (1 Corinthians 13:3) Because love is so important to God and the functioning of His church, He pours it out freely on His children through His Holy Spirit. (1 John 3:1) Let’s use the greatest gift, God’s love, to reach out to others on His behalf today!

3) Why is having love more important than having any of the other gifts mentioned in this passage? (verses 1-3)
Paul professes to the Corinthians that the greatest thing, beyond the gifts of prophecy or healing, even beyond faith and hope, is the gift of love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) He describes love as “patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) The Bible tells us God Himself is love (1 John 4:16) Because God is love, showing other people His love is the most important thing we can do on His behalf. If we prophesy or speak in tongues or even give all our stuff away, but don’t have God’s love in our hearts, we gain nothing. When we use God’s gifts without being empowered by His love, we may make a lot of noise, but we don’t do any eternal good. To be God’s Church, we are required to love people with the love of God while moving in the gifts He has given us. David Guzik suggests, “The gifts are merely ways we can express and receive love from God and love to one another. They are the ‘containers,’ and what is in the container – love – is far more important.” The gifts we have from God are important only because they help us give away the love of God. When we are all serving God using the gifts He has bestowed on us, we radiate God’s love to those around us.

Everyday Application

1) How does giving greater honor to the less honorable prevent division in the body of Christ? (verse 24b)
A “mega-church” came to town and needed a temporary worship venue, so our church offered our building. One Sunday, their pastor spoke at a joint service. Their ushers limited movement as a safety measure for the platform team, and the pastor was escorted in and out by a small entourage. They obviously faced many more security issues than our smaller church, yet the “super star” treatment of the pastor and worship team bothered me. Growing up a preacher’s kid, I knew several pastors who sometimes also served as janitor, secretary, and worship leader. Those pastors recognized how all members of the church play an important role in sharing the Gospel. The church is a team, working together to ensure people are reached with the Good News. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:23-25, “And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, which our respectable parts do not need. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.” God’s plan is for all members of the church to work together as one, recognizing that a victory for one is a victory for all, and that pain for one means that all hurt. The Bible Study New Testament suggests, “the strong members of the church ought to work for the good of the weak, and the weak should get rid of all jealousy and envy, to work for the good of the strong. When you help the other person, you are helping yourself, since you are part of the body.”  May we each recognize how important our part is in the body of Christ, and not think too highly or too lowly of ourselves as we use our gifts to share God’s love.

2) What does it mean to desire the greater gifts? (verse 31)
One of my favorite news stories last year was about a company that had their best year ever and decided to share the profits with their employees in the form of a whopping $25,000,000 in bonuses for all the team members. This included a weekend beach resort trip for the whole organization, stock in the company, prizes for those who went above and beyond, and cash for everyone. The CEO could have kept the profits for the business or himself, but he wanted to show his appreciation for his loyal, hard-working team who put the business over the top. More than profits or investments, he valued the service and devotion of his team. This reminds me of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:31 to “desire the greater gifts”, which Christ says is love. (1 Corinthians 13) The greater gifts turn out not to be the ones gaining the most attention or notoriety. God wants us to love each other and those around us because this is how we express that God is love. Author, John Piper, asserts, “The Spirit doesn’t give us gifts in order that each of us gets our self-important moment in the spotlight. He gives us gifts so that for the greater glory of Christ we are able to pursue love through serving one another.” When we use our diverse gifts to love God and love others, we are working together in unity, the way God intended the church to function. God is not a CEO handing out cash and tropical vacations, but He is well-pleased when His church comes together in love to serve one another and share Him with a hurting world.

3) Why is having love more important than having any of the other gifts mentioned in this passage? (verses 1-3)
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul describes possessing Christ’s love as greater than any other gift from God. He even says all other gifts don’t matter if we don’t first have His love. (1 Corinthians 13) Author, Jon Bloom, explains, “Love is the aim of the spiritual gifts. It is possible to possess and exercise impressive spiritual gifts without love. If we do, we are ‘nothing.’” You have probably experienced someone moving in a spiritual gift without the love of God. Maybe you encountered a preacher who was more impressed with his insights and eloquence than sharing God’s love in his message. Or maybe you have seen someone with so much faith that God will act through their prayer that she blames others when things don’t happen as she believed they would. Perhaps you had a teacher so intent on getting through all the points of her excellent lesson that she overlooked the teachable moments right in front of her. People often get caught up in the gifts God has given them and forget the purpose of the gifts, which is to extend God’s love to others. Quite likely, you have been blessed by a Christ-follower gifted by God who also moves in the love of Christ to minister to your heart. When Christians reach out in love, they are actively being the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love and grace with those who need to know Him or be reminded that God is for them. Let’s reach out in love today to those who need Him.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Created To Participate!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Nations Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Word Day 12 Do As I Do: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Do As I Do!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you?” You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed to do them.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)
After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He replaced His robe and proceeded to engage them in conversation as to why He did what He did. Previously, in verse 4, Jesus removed His robe after the Passover meal and wrapped a towel around His waist in preparation for foot washing. This common gesture of wearing a towel signified Jesus taking on the role of a slave. This would have baffled the disciples! Only slaves washed the feet of their master, but not even Jewish slaves were allowed to wash their masters’ feet (NKJV Chronological Study Bible Notes). To watch Jesus undertake such a menial task would have been beyond the understanding of the disciples. Many a time the disciples did not understand what Jesus was doing or teaching; Jesus knew they could be “slow” to understand. In Mark 8:14-21 Jesus told His disciples to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, but even as they discussed it among themselves, they did not understand Jesus’ meaning. They concluded His remark was because they’d forgotten to bring bread. Jesus rebuked them harshly and asked, “Don’t you understand yet?”. (Mark 8:21) In Matthew 15:2-19, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on hand-washing traditions instead of God’s heart to honor Him. The disciples told Jesus the Pharisees were offended, but Jesus told them to leave the Pharisees alone as they were blind and were leading each other into a pit. The disciples again, not understanding, asked Jesus to explain. Jesus responded, “Do you still lack understanding?”. (Matthew 15:16) There were even times the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus questions. (Mark 9:30-32, John 16:16-19) Because His example of humble servitude was so critically important to His disciples imitating, He wanted to be sure they understood the full weight of His actions.

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)
Jesus wanted the disciples to understand what being humble, loving, and serving others really meant. Jesus knew a mere parable would not suffice, so He went out of His way to actively demonstrate what humility looked like by washing the filthy feet of His disciples. This act of humble love was an entirely new concept for the disciples. John Dickson explains, “The word humility in both the ancient Greek and Latin meant low, as in low to the ground. It had an entirely negative connotation. In a world that loved reputation and honour above pretty much anything else, humility just didn’t make sense.” Jesus wanted His disciples to become humble servants of each other and those around them who desperately needed to experience Christ’s offer to rescue them from sin. The only way for the disciples to grasp this concept was for Jesus to live it out for them in an unforgettably tangible way. He then commanded them to follow His example and do the same.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)
If Jesus, as their Teacher and Lord, could do such a menial task as wash their feet, then the disciples, as His students, are not above Him, and should do likewise. They were to follow His example and become servants. Jesus expressed this sentiment many times as He modeled a life of love for His disciples. (Matthew 10:24, Luke 6:40) In Luke’s record of the Passover where Jesus washed their feet, a dispute arose among the disciples about who should be considered the greatest. (Luke 22:24) It could be this discourse that prompted Jesus to embark on the foot washing ceremony. Jesus told them not to be like the kings who rule over the Gentiles because their main concern was status. Instead, Jesus’ disciples must be like Him and serve with humble love. (Luke 22:27)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)
On many occasions, the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus said or why He did some of the things He did. Jesus even had to rebuke them at times for taking His intended meaning beyond what He wanted them to understand. Can we blame them? After all, Jesus was God in the flesh. It would have been difficult for them to understand His divinity just as it is for us today. Sometimes, we go through difficult circumstances that leave us questioning God. A few years ago, I was betrayed by a close family member. When it happened, I was in total shock. I felt like Joseph when his brothers placed him in a pit and sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:12-36) My life literally shattered that day! All I could think is, “Why?!”. I prayed for God to give me answers, but it was slow. He kept telling me to be patient. Little by little, things were revealed until I had the whole story. We need to wait on God to give His answers in His time. He is faithful to reveal Himself in the context of a relationship with Him as we study Scripture, listen to sermons, and seek wise counsel from other believers in Jesus. Even in the struggle, God graciously gives purpose. It wasn’t until Jesus’ death and resurrection that the disciples fully understood that Jesus’ example of humble servitude was to be the foundation by which they extended the love of Jesus to others. Are there circumstances in your life you don’t understand? Instead of worrying, or bringing your own solution, ask God for guidance through prayer. Read the Scriptures and seek godly counsel. He will be faithful to reveal His answer in His time. Just be patient.

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)
The command to wash one another’s feet in humble service extends to us as Christ-followers also. Jesus was the epitome of humility, and we are called to be like Him. (Romans 8:29) It doesn’t matter if we are the CEO of a company or a janitor, all who have surrendered their lives to Jesus are to serve others with humble hearts. I know someone who refused to help a former employee when he became Department Manager (we’ll call him C). The employee (P) was so disappointed. P confided to me that when C worked with him before becoming Manager, he would assist him in anything he needed. As Manager, however, C refused to take his calls. P couldn’t believe he was treated in such a manner after all he did for C when they worked together. We, as Christians are called to service regardless of our position in life. Philippians 2:3 states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves”. As Christians, we need to wash each other’s feet.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)
“The world asks, “How many people work for you?”, but the Lord asks, “For how many people do you work?”” (Warren W. Wiersbe). A friend told me, while he was at the bank one day, he observed the CEO walking the floor. There was a piece of paper on the ground. The CEO, without thinking twice, picked it up, threw it away and continued walking the floor. My friend was absolutely amazed because, in his mind, the CEO could have easily called the janitor or another employee to pick up the trash. But he didn’t, he did it himself. This showed his humility. It wasn’t beneath him to pick up that paper. Loving and serving others isn’t about us, but Who we work for. Whatever we do, we are to do it for the benefit of others and, most importantly, for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:17) Reiterating Philippians 2:3, other people are more important than us, and our job as Christians is to serve them. If Jesus did it, so should we! (Philippians 2:5-11)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Do As I Do!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Word Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Fervent Day 14 Strength Training: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Strength Training!

The Questions

1) What does a life surrendered to Christ look like? (verse 1, 6-21)

2) What does it mean for believers to not be conformed to this age? (verse 2)

3) What does it mean to not repay evil for evil? (verses 17-18)

Romans 12:1-21

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Original Intent

1) What does a life surrendered to Christ look like? (verse 1, 6-21)
After spending the majority of his letter to the Romans expounding on the incredible richness available to us through Christ for this life and the next, Paul turns our attention to practically living out our everyday lives from this perspective. His short answer is that we, collectively as a whole body of believers, are to present ourselves as a singular living sacrifice together, set apart as holy to Him. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were now rendered obsolete by Jesus’ sacrifice for us, but what every believer can still give is the holy offering of our lives as acts of worship and obedience. Paul urges all believers to present the whole of our lives to God for His holy work. Hebrews 13:15-16 helps us understand the believer’s sacrifice is marked by continuous praise, doing good in love, and sharing what we have. These “living sacrifices” are pleasing to God. Romans 11:33-36 is a beautiful poetic picture of the cry of the adoring heart as it offers thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. This passage speaks of the depth of the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God. His ways and decisions are far beyond the mind of man, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory Forever!” (Romans 11:36) Paul’s outburst of song was to heartily remind the believers in Rome that, if they were truly surrendered to Christ,  having a transformational change in their lives owing only to God, then the overflow would burst forth in worship of both their tongue and their lives. This was no superficial shift, but a very real whole-heart adjustment, and the result was a deep, stirring desire to worship the Only One Worthy of such complete adoration. The sacrifice of life was demonstrated by serving with the whole self, ready to do His will moment by moment with a heart of adoration. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and the instrument through which the Holy Spirit works. A transformed heart results in a worship so deep and radical it overflows as continual “living sacrifices” to the God who rescued us and made us new!

2) What does it mean for believers to not be conformed to this age? (verse 2)
Paul used imagery that would quickly connect with his audience as he wrote of God’s heart call to not be “conformed” to this age. His Greek word usage for conform gave the idea of making a copy or following a pattern and passing it along. In contrast, however, the Greek for “transform” means entirely new, not manufactured on our own power, but to quite literally become something altogether different. Paul wanted his readers to immediately understand the significant difference between self-induced patterning and radical transformative metamorphosis because of Jesus! Paul was a list-maker (maybe you are too!), and in his letters he listed several examples of worldly patterns including “sexual immorality, moral impurity, outbursts of anger, drunkenness, envy, and anything similar.” (Galatians 5:19-21) The temptation to sin is strong; there is hardly an end to the list of things the lover of Jesus should shun. Because we have been transformed, utterly made new, our hearts and lives are meant to be expressed not for self, but for Christ! Everything should be done for God’s glory! (1 Corinthians 10:31) Transformation is not a matter of impulse, on again and off again, rather it is continuous as we submit ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Paul’s intentional wording reminds us this transformation is not done of ourselves, instead we “are being transformed…from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) As believers, we are not, however, passive in this transformation process, it is our duty is to cooperate fully, allowing the Spirit to do His work in our hearts and lives.  Conforming to this world chooses to worship ourselves instead of the Lord. Live with a heart ready to humbly offer surrender in worship, ready to be transformed by the Spirit of God as you lean in to His wisdom! (Proverbs 2:1-5) 

3) What does it mean to not repay evil for evil? (verses 17-18)
Here, Paul reiterates the principle of non-retaliation for the Christian that Jesus taught. (Matthew 5:38-48) Verse 17 reads, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.” Paul didn’t want the recipients of his letter to be left wondering what it looked like to follow Christ in everyday life on this side of eternity. Romans 12 answers that question. Revenge feels natural and all-important in the moment of anger, or in looking back after being poorly treated, but Paul declares we must resist this human, fleshly instinct, instead surrendering to the Spirit’s work. By His power in us, we can actively refuse to pay back evil to another who has done evil toward us. This is true whether the person who hurts us is a believer or not. Rather than emotionally react, Paul tells us to be thoughtful when evil is done to us. He suggests we see that moment of lusting after retaliation to be an opportunity to instead demonstrate Christ’s love He extends freely to all people. “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.” (verses 19-20) After all, we cannot display Christ’s love and forgiveness until we have the opportunity to forgive someone! When we do, we are making a powerful statement about the kind of love Jesus lavishly gives. Acting with intentional goodness toward our enemies is far more effective in showing them God’s heart than attempting petty revenge. Together, let’s refuse to sink to evil’s level of repayment, instead leaving justice to God!                                                                      

Everyday Application

1) What does a life surrendered to Christ look like? (verse 1, 6-21)

We live in a day when finding authenticity is a challenge. From imitation crab to faux nails to Instagram filters, we work hard to have the appearance of the “real thing”. While this condition is commonplace in our world, it is a tragedy when it comes to a believer’s life. If we are brutally honest with ourselves, “Imitation Christianity” is something all believers are tempted with on various levels. It’s easier to live our everyday lives without considering our call to be “living sacrifices” to our God. Imitation Christians can be difficult to spot as they can appear on the outside like a genuine believer. Church attendance, generous giving, a good neighbor, and even serving in church are all marks of genuine believers, but they are easily copied by going through the motions. What is impossible to imitate, however, is a transformed heart of worship! Are we true believers or only imitating? To help us understand what it looks like in everyday life to be an authentic “living sacrifice”, Paul lays out several characteristics each anchored firmly in a heart attitude of sacrificial worship to God. “Let love be without hypocrisy.” (verse 9) Only authentic love, flowing from the heart of God Himself, can genuinely be without hypocrisy. Real love is a matter of the heart, not the face. Masking your real feelings and intentions with superficial niceties is a charade none can sustain before others, and certainly we cannot deceive the Lord God. “Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. ” (verses 9-10) Hearts truly transformed by Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit will neither be passive nor indifferent about evil. Rather, they will be repulsed by it, despising what harms others and dishonors God. In place of harsh, self-righteous judgement, the worshipful heart will cling steadfastly to what is good, humbly believing the best and choosing to honor others over themselves. May we each evaluate our hearts before the Lord, asking Him to convict us regarding true sacrifices of worship that honor Him. Let’s bless others graciously and be honoring with our words, choosing to live every day from the overflow of worship!

 

2) What does it mean for believers to not be conformed to this age? (verse 2)

Conforming is so easy! It requires little effort or thought to follow the pattern provided by those around us. Just do what everyone else is doing! While following the well-traveled road can provide a sense of safety, comfort, and belonging, the Christ-follower has been made new that we may live with a full abundance the world does not understand. As you consider your heart desires, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are following a worldly pattern. Ask Him for conviction and repentance! Ask the Spirit to encourage you where you are choosing to live in full surrender to His work of transformation in you. Guard and celebrate these areas! Identifying worldly patterns is nearly impossible without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who brings conviction in order to shift our hearts, not to condemn or shame us. Whether you feel drawn away by wanting a bigger or better house, car, or lifestyle, remember that every believer is called to fight against the pull of the world’s pattern for life. While these feel appealing, they are temporary and can lure our hearts away from worshipping the Only One Worthy of our life’s sacrifice of worship. Only Jesus will satisfy. Purposefully fight against following the pattern by steady surrender to the Holy Spirit in your everyday life. Dare to break free from pattern-following, Ladies! Follow the Good Shepherd of our hearts for the most abundant life possible! Resist the tempting urge to focus on the physical and fleeting delights of this world, setting your heart on things of Christ (Colossians 3:2), determining to be renewed in our minds (verse 2), and ready for action in this transformation process! Rebel against the power of darkness and the schemes of the world. Be a nonconformist, a rebel with a cause for Christ!

3) What does it mean to not repay evil for evil? (verses 17-18)

God spoke through Paul to pen the difficult words, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” While we may find it easy, or at least, easier to live peaceably with our friends, the Lord leaves no wiggle room for exception cases. He commands us to “live at peace with everyone.” While Christians need not look far before we find someone with whom we disagree, whether believer or not, God calls us to live peaceably with them. Honor. Love. Respect. Kindness. Gentleness. These should characterize our engagement with, well, everyone. Lost souls without Jesus do not come to Him because a Christian condemned their outward choices, but rather, because they showed the rich, selfless love of the Savior in everyday life circumstances. As believers, there are certainly times to call out our brothers and sisters who are choosing sinful, destructive life patterns, but even this is to be hemmed in love, seeking their peaceful reconciliation with God. Paul’s timely message reminds us of 3 keys to living peaceably with everyone: 1) Retaliation does not belong to us, only to God. In the end, no human being has the right to judge, only the God of all justice can do this. 2) Treating one another with kindness results in lasting change. Vengeance brings discord and piles on hurt, but kindness motivates repentant hearts and fosters deep relationships, which allow space for authentic conversations. 3) Evil can never be conquered by evil. Hatred, if met with more hatred, only results in its increase. If we stoop to revenge, then we ourselves have been overcome by evil. Booker T Washington stated, “I shall not allow any man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.” Mark Twain adds, “The only safe and sure way to destroy your enemy is to make him your friend.”

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Fervent Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Reveal Day 9 Sudden Peace: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Sudden Peace!

The Questions

1) What is the glory of the Lord? (verse 9)

2) How can we give glory to God like the angels did? (verse 14)

3) What do the angels mean with “peace on earth” when there are still so many struggles, trial, and war? (verse 14)

Luke 2:8-14

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Original Intent

1) What is the glory of the Lord? (verse 9)
Defining the glory of the Lord is not easy to do! How do you define something with human language that is untouchable and belonging solely to the divine? Looking at the content of these verses (like the verb ‘shone’), the words ‘glory of the Lord’ may have been used to describe an incredibly bright light. It was so bright the shepherds were terrified of its presence. A similar event happened when the angel of the Lord rolled away the stone at Jesus’ resurrection and the soldiers “became as dead men” in the presence of such outstanding glory and light so radiant it was described as “lightning”. (Matthew 28:3-4) The light shining around the angels at Jesus’ resurrection and His birth was brighter than we can even begin to imagine. So great was this reflection of God’s righteous glory, it terrified witnesses!

2) How can we give glory to God like the angels did? (verse 14)
In verse 14, the angels deliver the shepherds their message of the Messiah’s arrival and they give glory to God in doing so. Looking at what we previously discovered about the glory of the Lord, it seems rather impossible at first glance to give ‘light’ back to God. This use of “glory”, though the same Greek word, means something a little different given the particular context. What does remain the same is the straight definition of glory in Greek which carries the idea of the highest pronouncement of what is good and holy. In essence, “glory” is the good righteous holiness of God on display for us to see and interact with. This makes a lot more sense when we hear the word ‘glory’ in the context of verse 14. The angel here tells us to give praise and honour unto God for He has sent His Son into the world to save us.

3) What do the angels mean with “peace on earth” when there are still so many struggles, trial, and war? (verse 14)
The shepherds, though cultural outcasts, were still acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah and understood the implications of the angels’ message of “peace on earth”. In Isaiah 9:6 it is prophesied that Jesus would be known as the “Prince of Peace”. Isaiah also foretold that, while “the result of righteousness will be peace” (Isaiah 32:17), there would be “no peace for the wicked.” (Isaiah 48:22) Even these shepherds understood that, for God’s people, there would be peace because “the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). God had long ago laid the foundation of prophecies and His truth to be unfolded and later understood as the world welcomed the promised Messiah who would hold out salvation to all people, regardless of cultural status or difficult circumstance. Those who follow the Lord will have peace within them wherever they are, no matter the situation.

Everyday Application

1) What is the glory of the Lord? (verse 9)
While the glory of the Lord in today’s verses are referring to God’s brightness and His light, the word translated ‘glory’ is also used in Acts 22:11 in similar fashion. In this verse, Paul tells the story of his radical encounter with the risen Jesus. He describes seeing a bright light that instantly blinded him as he traveled to Damascus, intent on imprisoning and killing Christians. His intentions were fully against the Lord God, but he was left blind for three days from the glorious light of God. The King James Version reads, “And when I could not see for the glory of that light…” (emphasis mine). The Christian Standard Bible translates the Greek word “glory” directly into “brightness”. “Since I (Paul) couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light…” (emphasis mine) This closer study of the word “glory” and its intended meaning helps us understand the shepherds’ experience on that dark night. The lowly group of sheep herders witnessed an enormous bright light which itself reflected the character of God and they were forever changed. Just like Saul on the road to Damascus, the trajectory of his life was radically made new as he was renamed Paul and given a new mission. Has Jesus changed your life? Have you ever truly encountered His glory?

2) How can we give glory to God like the angels did? (verse 14)
In his gospel, John describes Jesus as being the Light of the world. In Colossians, Paul writes that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God”. (Colossians 1:15) The author of Hebrews says Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature.” (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus is God’s glory on display in human form for us to interact with and experience. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, His light becomes ours and we shine for Him. When we love like Jesus, when we worship Him in song, when we speak with kindness, show His compassion, and come alongside others as God has done for us, we are “giving glory to God”. We actually are giving His light back to Him because we are reflecting the Light He first gave us! Philippians 2:11 says, “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. Confessing Jesus as Lord mirrors God’s glory back to Him. Paul also wrote that Jesus (and therefore God) is glorified by asking God through prayer to make us worthy of His calling and to fulfill our every desire to do good by His power (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). So, by confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, and by fulfilling God’s calling in faith, we give God glory!

3) What do the angels mean with “peace on earth” when there are still so many struggles, trial, and war? (verse 14)
Although the world can seem like a crazy place; when we have Jesus, we do have peace. Why? Because Jesus Himself brings the gift of peace. He tells us, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27) He warns us that life will not be easy, and will be filled with sorrow and suffering, but to prepare us for the troubles to come, He gives us peace. (John 16:33) Paul writes, “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) He even refers to God in Heaven as our “God of peace” (Romans 15:33; 16:20). Perfect peace is only found through Jesus Christ. Whenever we feel overwhelmed by the chaos and confusion in this world, we need to turn to Him who gave up His life for us, so we might have eternal life… and peace! Amen.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Sudden Peace!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Reveal Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Beloved Day 4 Radical Love Of Marriage: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Radical Love Of Marriage!

The Questions

1) What does the woman singer mean by “set me as a seal on your heart and your arm”? How does this relate to the strength of love? (verses 6-7)

2) What is implied with the language of walls and towers in verses 8-11?

3) What makes this shared love so radical, wild, and free?

Song of Solomon 8:5-14

5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
leaning on the one she loves?

Woman
I awakened you under the apricot tree.
There your mother conceived you;
there she conceived and gave you birth.
6 Set me as a seal on your heart,
as a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death;
jealousy is as unrelenting as Sheol.
Love’s flames are fiery flames—
an almighty flame!
7 A huge torrent cannot extinguish love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If a man were to give all his wealth for love,
it would be utterly scorned.

Chorus
8 Our sister is young;
she has no breasts.
What will we do for our sister
on the day she is spoken for?
9 If she is a wall,
we will build a silver barricade on her.
If she is a door,
we will enclose her with cedar planks.

Woman
10 I am a wall
and my breasts like towers.
So to him I have become
like one who finds peace.

11 Solomon owned a vineyard in Baal-hamon.
He leased the vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for his fruit
one thousand pieces of silver.
12 I have my own vineyard.
The one thousand are for you, Solomon,
but two hundred for those who take care of its fruits.

Man
13 You who dwell in the gardens,
companions are listening for your voice;
let me hear you!

Woman
14 Run away with me, my love,
and be like a gazelle
or a young stag
on the mountains of spices.

Original Intent

1) What does the woman singer mean by “set me as a seal on your heart and your arm”? How does this relate to the strength of love? (verses 6-7)
Solomon spends his entire poetic song declaring and describing the fantastic love between a husband and wife that is unlike any other love relationship. Verses 6-7 speak specifically to the radical commitment strength of marital love that is also not found in other relationships. The word translated “seal” from Hebrew is used multiple times in the Old Testament. When we look up other instances of any word used in Scripture, it helps us gain helpful insight for how the original author intended the word to be defined in their writing context. “Seal” is most often used in connection with a ruler’s “signet ring” like in 1 Kings 21:8. Soft clay was placed over the opening of a scroll containing an important edict or message from the king, then he would press his royal ring into the soft clay. A king’s seal was recognized throughout his land and declared that no one could repeal what he had declared. A king’s seal was the undisputed and irrevocable “final word”. Uniquely, Solomon wrote that the Bride herself was the husband’s “signet ring”. Her living self was the promise of love that would not be defeated and her invitation to her Lover to “set me as (your) seal” is the hope of a covenant love that will be irreversible.

2) What is implied with the language of walls and towers in verses 8-11?
In the ancient culture when Solomon wrote his poetic song, virginity was highly valued. In fact, you couldn’t be honorably married if you weren’t a virgin. The chorus singers in verses 8-10 are poetically speaking of a young woman who isn’t yet of age to be married or carry children. The young girl depicted as a “wall” and then a “door” symbolizes her virginity protecting her (like a wall or door would protect a house) for a one-day-coming marriage. As a community, they sing “we will build a silver barricade on her (wall)” and again using the door illustration, “we will enclose her with cedar planks.” Together, the community agreed to honor God’s design for marriage and together lovingly protect the young girl and her virginity until it was time to give the gift of sex to her husband. Given the type of material described for poetically protecting the girl, we get the idea the community was acting in tender love, not a hardened fist of legislature. Instead of “iron”, the community sings of “cedar planks” and “silver”. In verse 11, the Beloved Wife sings that she herself is her own wall and instead of her body needing safeguarding for a future husband, her breasts are her own “watch towers” and she has found peace in the giving of sexual love to her husband.

3) What makes this shared love so radical, wild, and free?
To our ears, it sounds pretty far from romantic for a wife to say to her husband, “be like a gazelle
or a young stag on the mountains of spices” (verse 14) To the listening audience of this ancient culture, however, both a gazelle and a young stag depicted beauty, vigor, and grace, so we get the picture of a handsome and strong, yet gentle Lover. Equally as strange to us is the idea of “a mountain of spices” and we shrug our shoulders and move past the weird imagery. Solomon actually didn’t have huge piles of cinnamon in mind when he penned these words. Rather, “mountains” were used earlier in the song to describe the woman’s two breasts. (Song of Solomon 4:5-6) Also earlier in the book, spices carried the idea of delightful sexual intercourse where the “spices” were associated with sexual arousal and pleasure. (Song of Solomon 1:12, 5:1, 5) Understanding how these images were first understood gives us a very different perspective on this love poem! Earlier in the song, before the two consummate their marriage vows, the Lover husband looks forward to “going away” with his Beloved to make love and enjoy each other. (Song of Solomon 4:8) Here, at the close of the song, the relationship has deepened inside the sacred space of marriage and the wife, now free to love her husband sexually, owns this capacity to the full and finds pleasure in inviting him to run away with her and enjoy their love together. In God’s view of marriage, the relationship between spouses is meant to flourish and grow deeper over time, allowing for ever-greater exchange of intimacy.

Everyday Application

1) What does the woman singer mean by “set me as a seal on your heart and your arm”? How does this relate to the strength of love? (verses 6-7)
While much of Song of Solomon seems to our western eyes and ears to be based on merely feelings of heightened sexual love, these verses shout a bold contradiction. The love shared between Lover and Beloved was enduring, not based on feelings or circumstance. The strength of their love was not found in emotion, but in a covenant seal that could not reversed. While humans experience the sensation described as “falling in, or out, of love”, Solomon’s song affirms a far deeper, much more radical commitment. Beautifully, this type of human love relationship is intended by the Lord to reflect the love He has for us, as His very own chosen Bride. Jesus gave us His living self as the single greatest display of covenant love when He chose to take on our consequence for our sin at the cross. Here, He willingly laid down His life to make us His Bride, washing us in His forgiveness. (Ephesians 5:25-27) Marriage between a husband and wife is meant, by design, to last for as long as either partner lives. If you’re married, stand firm in your marriage covenant relationship. If you’re divorced or single, be reminded that the Lord Himself will never break His covenant love with and for you. As is sung throughout Scripture, His love endures forever! (Psalm 136) If you’re in a marriage relationship where you or your children are experiencing abuse or abandonment, we urge you to please seek safety and wise, Christian counseling. God’s design for marriage is beautiful, and He continues working out His incredible plan through broken, imperfect, and sinful people, but God has never intended marriage to be a place where one spouse is ruled, controlled, or abused by the other spouse. If this describes your marriage, or that of a friend’s, please seek help and know that there is no condemnation for doing so!

2) What is implied with the language of walls and towers in verses 8-11?
Far from teaching “safe sex” practices, the community in Solomon’s day took it upon themselves to together fight for God’s design for sex and marriage. As women, we are very uniquely positioned to link arms together and do the same by championing the sacredness of sex and marriage for the coming generation. Whether you have daughters yourself or maybe you serve with a youth ministry at your church, talk with young girls openly about sex and how amazingly beautiful both sex and their bodies are. Talk about how God handcrafted this gift of intimacy to be explicitly shared between a husband and wife. While it will likely feel awkward for you to begin these conversations, be encouraged that the young girl in your life is indeed listening. When we decide together as Jesus-loving women to honor sex and marriage as a model for younger girls, we are living out biblical community in radical ways!

3) What makes this shared love so radical, wild, and free?
God’s design for sex and marriage is far from boring; it’s radical. It requires a willingness to trust Him and His plan over ours, love our spouse unconditionally, and find delight in a monogamous sexual relationship. Here in this sacred place, the best experiences of both sex and marriage are discovered and enjoyed! If you’re married, consider writing a love poem to your spouse, or even just making a list of things you enjoy about him. Nothing is off limits here as this is shared between, God, your man, and you. Include character traits you admire, moments that have made you feel close to him, and, of course, be creative and include physical attributes you enjoy and why! I’m guessing you will both enjoy the process! I have the high honor of knowing several vibrant, Jesus-loving single women. They have shown me much about Jesus and His love in ways I never would have discovered on my own. If you’re single, whether by divorce or not, be encouraged that your intentional time developing intimacy with the God of the Universe, and knowing yourself, are gifts to the Church. Yes, girl, the Church. Share what the Father is uniquely teaching you through your relationship with Him as you come alongside your married friends. Jesus’ Bride, the Church, needs all of us. Certainly not just married folks. I know this will feel bold and daring to many, but regardless of whether you’re married or single, this challenge is for all of us. Make space for a few evenings to write down the attributes about your own body that you enjoy. This isn’t a place for criticism and there is absolutely no judgment. What you write is for you and God to share in a sacred space. He crafted your body and wants you to celebrate in it!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Radical Love Of Marriage!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Beloved Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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