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I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.¹

I came across an interesting material Nitanol which reminded me of who we are actually—sinners. Since the fall of man, sin has corrupted us.² Thus, our need for a Savior! For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.³

Nitinol is a metal alloy of nickel and titanium with unique properties, including super-elasticity or pseudo-elasticity and “shape memory.” That means Nitinol can remember its original shape and return to it when heated. It also shows great elasticity under stress.⁴ Relating it to us—have you ever noticed that when the ‘heat-is-on’ such as pressure, stress, difficulties—we tend to be irritable and most of the time lose control; we curse, we turn emotional and unreasonable, get into fights, brawls, road rage, and so forth. We are acting out our nature. As Paul lamented, For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. . . . So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.⁵ Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”⁶

If you have believed the finished work of Jesus⁷ and submitted and surrendered your life to him, you have been saved and have eternal life.⁸ You are now a new creation—Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.⁹ You are blessed with every spiritual blessing.¹⁰ But you need to abide¹¹ and walk in it.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.¹²

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”¹³

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.¹⁴ You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.¹⁵