Thursday August 5, 2021

God, I am here to go deeper and learn from You. Come Holy Spirit, speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Romans 12:1-8

A Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Living Sacrifice

Throughout the book of Romans, we have been reflecting on the wonders of God’s mercy and grace in light of our disobedience and sin. Now Paul explains our proper response. Our whole life is to be a living sacrifice continually given to God. Our entire existence is to be a holy and pleasing offering to God. We give our very best and hold nothing back.

Over time this will positively impact how we relate to other people. We first focus on our relationships within the Christian community (Romans 12:3-8) and then consider how we relate to people outside of the community (Romans 12:9-21). In the church, we humbly and diligently serve one another with whatever gift we have been given. We continually offer ourselves to God and others in loving service. This is the daily life of a living sacrifice.

Questions:

In what ways do you offer yourself a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” and in what ways do you fall short in doing so?

What gift(s) have you been given and how are you using them to serve the church and the world (Romans 12:3-8)?

Merciful God I give myself to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Through the power of your sanctifying grace make me a holy and pleasing sacrifice, poured out for you and for others. Amen.