Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 We have an example laid out in scripture, specifically in the book of Acts and all through the epistles of the New Testament, of how our way of life as the body of Christ is supposed to function. Many of us who are being called out of the current religious institution of today, ask ourselves, “how now shall we live?” As in Romans 12 above says, we need to have laid our whole life down, body, soul, and mind, to determine the will of God. If we hold onto any part, to make our own decision or preference as to what we should be doing as the body of Christ, then we will not know the will of God. To be an acceptable sacrifice that God is well-pleased with, our lives need to be holy, obviously set apart in every aspect. We as a people of God and individually are being conformed to the image of Christ. It is only reasonable to say, that being like the world or this age will not get us to that point.

 A hinderance of not knowing how to function as the ekklesia(assembly of called out ones), is trying to use the methods of the current church system and denominations. We can’t take our example from that which does not look anything like what was put forth in scripture. Programs, liturgies, 20 minute sermonettes, altar calls etc do not conform us to His image. A laid down life does, discipleship does, which means to be conformed to the one teaching you(Christ), giving and sharing of our lives to edify each other. This is what the world needs to see, not only hearing the gospel of the kingdom being preached, but actually lived out in our daily lives together.

 Is our excuse, that we don’t have enough time? We have a Father in heaven who is willing to clear our busy 21st century schedules, if we just ask. How much more important is the edifying of the brethren, than the television, movies, and sporting events that have no eternal value.

 Do we value our privacy? This has to be laid down too.  The pride of not wanting to be open or transparent in our relationships is a hinderance also.  How can other brethren help us when we are in need, whether emotionally, physically, or financially, if we do not make our needs known to those around us?  We are to be members of His body one of another. If we shut up our lives from others then we hinder the body from functioning as it should and possibly keep someone from using their specific spiritual gift to help us.

Rom 12:5-8  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Rom 12:15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

 Our sincere love for one another is showed by how we work together giving, sharing, helping, edifying, putting others first above ourselves, lifting each other up.

(see also the post Unfeigned Love of the Brethren)

 Rom 12:9-16  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.  15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 
Brethren, let us go onto perfection and not be content with just the basics of the faith (Heb 6:1-2); but press on to that mark of the high calling of God for which He has ordained us to walk in (Philippians 3:13-17)…