Romans 12:1-8
“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. 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.”
Romans 12:1-8 NIV
The beauty of christianity is in the holiness of the life that begins to take root in us. As we abide in Christ, we’ve become more and more like Him in our manners. This is what Paul means when he says that we are to offer our bodies to be a living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.
This growth and holiness is our spiritual worship. We live by the measure of grace that God gives us. We serve according to the gifts. God gives. In essence, the Christian life is like a dance, with God as our partner who leads us according to the pace and rhythm He determines.
It is very easy to go to one of two extremes. We may think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think and become very proud of what we do and what we do not do. This, in my opinion, is why many preachers and Christian workers today have fallen into immorality and other types of sin that have brought great reproach upon them and the church. On the other hand, there is the opposite possibility. Because we may not have gifts and abilities, we develop an inferiority complex and think we are just a “dirty old rag for Jesus” and not capable of doing anything for Him.
It is of little value to know the truths of the Word of God if the body is not surrendered so the life of Christ can show in the everyday affairs of our life. It is possible for a Christian to think they are spiritual when they may be very sensual. This kind of person will not go to prayer meetings because it is too hot. They will not work in the slums because they are too smelly. In other words, they are a sensual Christian. This simply means that they are ruled by the senses.
This call to sacrifice challenges us to go beyond mere lip service and superficial acts of faith. It requires a deep level of devotion and a willingness to prioritize God above all else. We, as believers, are invited to reflect on how we can honor God with our daily lives and dedicate ourselves completely to His service.
Are we willing to let go of our own desires and ambitions in order to fulfill God’s purposes? Are we ready to use our talents and resources for His kingdom, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones? These verses ultimately reminds us that our lives are not our own, they belong to God.
We invite ourselves as living sacrifices to experience the fullness of God’s presence and purpose in our lives. We will find true fulfillment and joy beyond measure by embracing this call with passion and care.
Life’s daily grind can make us forget our higher purpose. But imagine offering your work, your family time, your whole self, as a tribute to something greater. Transform your thoughts, break free from the status quo. Use your unique talents to uplift others, serving with genuine love and humility.
At the heart of this passage is a clear and direct statement about the interaction in us between our spiritual nature and our human experience. It defines our entire purpose as spiritual beings engaged in a mortal experience. We become conformed to this world when we allow the illusions of separation and limitation to become the energy that motivates our choices and actions in this world.
We believe in the reports of our five senses rather than our spiritual guidance. We are transformed when, in the midst of this human experience, we remember the truth of who we are and allow that truth to shape our choices.
That transformation can only happen when we truly believe in our innate Oneness with God when we realize that through our inner guidance we can always discern what is the will of God. And trust that discernment to always bring about our highest good.
The other key element of this passage as with so many passages in Paul’s writings is that the innate oneness with God that is the truth of every individual life does not allow for a hierarchy of priorities and gifts. Each of us is unique, and each of us is equally important to the spiritual purpose we are all here to accomplish.
We are to appreciate and express our own unique gifts, and support others in the appreciation and expression of theirs. That’s why spiritual community is so important to achieving our purpose!!!
Father, thank You for this day and the life sustaining Word. Lord, let Your abundant blessings flow from the windows of heaven upon my friend and family today. Give us a glimpse today, just a quick glimpse, of the connectedness within which we live. Lord, help us see ourselves and others as members of the same body and reflections of Your Presence in the world. Lord, help us see how our gifts contribute as we boldly proclaim the good news of Your amazing Grace today.
Father, we love You. Amen. !
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