The ignition key to the ’66 Ford pick-up was next to the driver’s door. My Dad let me drive the red truck when I was 16 years old. More on that later.
I don’t usually get too technical, but I am giving it a try. Hang with me for a minute. “What? So What? What Now?” These three questions are a critical reflection model to help leaders evaluate, discuss, and plan. The “What” is reporting what happened. The “So What?” is exploring what difference it made. And “What Now?” is applying that information to how to act in the future.
I have taught Romans 1-11 for the past year. We have discovered the “What?” - the Gospel is the power of God for salvation. What is the Gospel? It is the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Lord. To believe the Gospel is salvation. To believe in Jesus brings forgiveness of sins, the indwelling Spirit, and eternal life.
Well then, “So What?” “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. 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 12:1-2 CSB) We are exploring these two famous verses on Sunday mornings now (see Balboa.live).
And the “What Now?” is explained in Romans 12-15 revealing key ethical implications on how to live in everyday life as followers of Jesus as Lord.
One day I jumped into the truck, pulled the driver’s door to shut it and quickly reached for the ignition key. My finger got slammed between the door and the truck frame. Boy, did that hurt!
Romans 12:1-2 is the hinge. These two verses hinge the theological to the practical, what God has done to what we are to do, from explanation to application. If you ignore the implications of the hinge in living out the Gospel in everyday life, you will get pinched by the consequences. Demonstrate commitment to the Gospel by presenting your body a living sacrifice to God every day.
Come worship in-person this Sunday at 8:45am (Traditional) or 11:00am (Contemporary). Go online at Balboa.Live to watch livestream or recorded. www.BalboaBaptist.Church