From Fallen to Glorified: Restoring the Divine Image

Love for God: The Force Behind the Call Key Scriptures: Romans 2:4; John 3:16; 1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15; Psalm 18:1–3 Bible Version: King James Version (KJV) The Call Begins With Love The call of God is not first an invitation to stand before people; it is an invitation to walk with God. Before God gives a person a public voice, He calls that person into a private relationship with Himself. “We love him, because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19, KJV A true man or woman of God does not begin with a platform, title, gift, or audience. The true beginning is a heart awakened by the love of God. God becomes more precious than recognition, more desirable than success, and more important than personal comfort. The call of God is recognizing the Lover of your soul and responding to His love with surrender. When that love fills the heart, obedience is no longer merely a burden. Obedience becomes delight. “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” — Psalm...

  For us to be effective members of the New Testament royal priesthood of  Jesus Christ, we must understand what the gifts and sacrifices are that we  need to present to God. When we present the appropriate gifts and  sacrifices, Christ our High Priest will take them and offer them to God as  sweet smelling savor.  The New Testament shows us the following gifts and sacrifices that we can give God: 1. Our Bodies I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1 KJV). 2. Walking in the Love of God And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor (Ephesians 5:2 KJV). 3. Service of Faith Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all (Philippians 2:17 KJV). 4. Sacrificial Offer...