
08 Sep Bees for Jesus
I have developed a strange fascination with the nests of stinging insects. Our neighbors had a huge hornet’s next under the eaves of their house that was nothing short of a work of art. I couldn’t help but admire the design, despite knowing what’s inside. Here’s the truly fascinating part.
The software required to construct the nest is embedded into the nearly microscopic brain of an insect. A bee or hornet does not consciously consider design or decide to construct the nest. The ability and desire to do so are innate, wired into the creature. More importantly, the bee or hornet cannot decide not to build the nest. It has no say in the matter. It does what it is hatched to do. Imagine if Jesus following worked that way. Guess what, it does!
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. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Notice the Apostle Paul’s words here: “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When we surrender ourselves to Christ, there is a rewiring of our brains. We received new spiritual software. Instead of making nests, we receive the character of Jesus Christ. In his time on earth, that character was reflected by always putting the needs of others before His own. Yet, service wasn’t the point: obeying the will of His Father and bringing glory to Him was. It’s the same for us. We don’t serve out of obligation. We serve out of the nature of Christ. This is the point Jesus’ half-brother James was making in his letter to first-century churches:
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.
For twenty centuries biblical scholars and others have been debating this passage. Is James saying that we are indeed saved by doing things? Of course not. He agrees completely with Paul; we are saved by grace through faith. James is saying if that faith is real, the nature of Christ’s servitude in us will manifest itself as the bee or hornet displays its internal wiring by the nest it builds. They don’t think about it and can’t stop themselves from doing it. That’s how service to others should manifest itself in Christ-followers.
“What does this faith look like that produces work, action, and behavior? ‘Because of the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is your rational act of worship.’ Jesus gave the living water to flow through the woman at the well—and she joyfully went and shared with her townspeople! Let your river flow!”—Dr. Mark McAnlis
So, let us be bees for Jesus! Surrender your whole self. Let Jesus rewire your spiritual software. You will no more be able to not love and serve others than a hornet or bee can decide not to make a nest. What a beautiful gift of dependency!
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Pastor Jerry Bader
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