Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
I think love changes us. What do you think? Do you think that our hearts, minds or lives can be changed by the simple act of love? Consider this: God’s love for us is so radical that, regardless of our actions or motivations, we can count on being loved by God. This is the love that God has for us. This is the extent of God’s great mercy. As such, I invite you to continue to live out your faith and use your gifts in grace and unity!