So, I beg you, brothers, and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way.
Romans 12:1 ERV
Through Jesus Christ, those who were condemned to judgement have been justified. We who were sinners are sanctified. And we who had no hope will be glorified. Jesus Christ died to bring these great privileges to us, what sacrifice would be too much to make for Him? How do we respond to God’s mercy, love, and grace?
As we can see from today’s verse, the best sacrifice we can offer is our lives. We offer a total commitment of all the members of our bodies to God always.
Likewise, Apostle Paul, in his second epistle to the church in Corinth wrote this to the church and I believe to us as well: “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2Cor. 5:15 KJV
In the previous chapters of the book of Romans, Apostle Paul told us about how God made the unrighteous, even the gentiles, righteous through faith. After he had communicated the greatness of God’s love to us, he pleaded with us to consider the benevolence of our God and live for Him.
As he said: “for the love of Christ constraineth us…” 2Cor. 5:14. It is the revelation of His love that compels us to live a life that exudes His benevolence. This kind of life is a living sacrifice to God.
“So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”
Romans 12:1 MSG
What would it mean for you practically to offer your body as a living sacrifice to God?
