The Bible is filled with saints who responded to God instead of reacting to circumstances. Jesus Christ set the perfect example at the cross.
1 Peter 2:21-24
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
The circumstances:
- unjustly accused-He had no sin, no deceit.
- reviled with angry and abusive insults-He did not revile or insult in return.
- suffered physically-He uttered no threats.
The response to God:
- Jesus trusted God-our righteous Judge, Sin-Defeater, and Life-Giver.
We respond to God as we pray (1 Thess. 5:17), praise (Heb. 13:15), and trust God’s purpose (2 Tim. 1:9). The SABERS cycle revolves around God and reveals responses to live with hope, joy, peace, and purpose in Jesus Christ.
A—Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty
Life cycles through periods of change: easy and difficult, fair and unfair, joy and sadness. As we move through challenges, we react or respond. SABERS teaches the cycle of responding to God instead of reacting to circumstances.
Response begins in the heart, where life-change initiates. The Bible tells us “God looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7), “knows the secrets of the heart” (Ps. 44:21), and “the excuses of the heart” (Luke 16:15).
Scripture reveals the heart of relationship with God and guides through six cutting-edge responses: Seek, Acknowledge, Believe, Expect, Receive, and Surrender.
- Encouragement ensues as we Seek God’s Presence during difficulties.
- Inspiration illuminates as we Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty in the unknown.
- Renewal rejuvenates as we Believe God’s Character instead of doubts.
- Assurance abounds as we Expect God’s Faithfulness to replace fear.
- Motivation multiplies as we Receive God’s Grace instead of frustration.
- Victory overcomes as we Surrender to God’s Love, the place of freedom.
The SABERS Cycle: A Cutting-Edge Study on Responding to God is a Bible study and reference guide which cuts to the “state of the heart” and points us to an active and abundant life in Christ. It is a stand-alone study which identifies intentional responses to God’s sovereignty, as displayed in scripture. (Coming Soon–in publication process.)