Be The Light! (Sermon Blog)
In our When In Romans series, we’ve walked through the deep truths of Paul’s letter and how it shapes our daily lives. This week, Pastor Steve turned to Romans 12 with a powerful call: Be the Light!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14–16, “You are the light of the world.” Paul shows us in Romans 12 what that actually looks like. Here are five ways to live as children of the light.
1. Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. This means honoring God not just in spirit but in everything we do physically.
Our bodies, minds, and spirits are connected—what we do with one affects the others.
Self-control is one of the hardest but most important fruits of the Spirit.
Being the light means offering ourselves to God daily, not just on Sundays.
2. Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2)
The world is constantly competing for our attention—through culture, media, politics, and more.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Guard what you let into your mind: what you watch, listen to, and focus on matters.
Garbage in, garbage out—let God’s Word shape your values and decisions.
When we renew our minds daily, we begin to walk in God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.
3. Know Who You Are (Romans 12:3)
We shine brightly when we live with humility and security in our God-given identity.
Paul warns against thinking too highly—or too lowly—of ourselves.
Each of us is created in God’s image with unique gifts, talents, and personalities.
Don’t diminish what God has placed in you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Spiritual gifts and encouragement from others in the church can help reveal who God designed you to be.
4. Work Together as the Body of Christ (Romans 12:4–8)
When the church operates together, it becomes a lighthouse to the world.
Unity – We share one God, one Savior, and one Spirit.
Diversity – God designed us differently on purpose.
Mutuality – We need each other; the church is stronger when everyone participates.
Paul lists spiritual gifts that build up the church:
Prophecy
Serving
Teaching
Encouragement
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Each gift matters. The church is not about passive attendance—it’s about active participation.
5. Live Out Love (Romans 12:9–21)
At the heart of shining God’s light is love. Paul lays out what love looks like in action:
Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with those in need; practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you.
Live in harmony, at peace whenever possible.
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice and an action. When we live this way, the light of Christ shines clearly through us.
Closing Thought
The world is full of darkness, but Paul reminds us that God has called us to be His light. As we offer our bodies, renew our minds, embrace our identity, work together, and live in love, we reflect Christ to those around us.
✨ Join us this Sunday at Pacific Life Church as we continue When In Romans with Part 12.