Pleasing God with Our Lives
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." - Romans 12:1
What does God expect from us? It's a question that has puzzled many, including myself, for a long time. But as we dive into Romans 12:1, we uncover an important truth about the nature of sacrifice.
At first glance, the idea of presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice seems paradoxical. How can something be both living and sacrificed? It's like trying to reconcile two opposing concepts—an oxymoron if you will.
Think about it. We encounter oxymorons all the time in everyday language: working vacation, virtual reality, civil war. These are combinations of words that seem contradictory. And "living sacrifice" falls into that category.
But Paul, in his letter to the Romans, unveils the secret of sacrifice. He urges us to present our entire lives to God—our bodies, our gifts, our resources, our time, our very selves. And he tells us that when we do this, when we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, it pleases God.
Sacrifice is not just a one-time event; it's a lifestyle. It's about giving our all to God and holding nothing back. It's about surrendering every aspect of our lives to His will and His purposes.
When we embrace this concept of living sacrifice, it transforms our perspective on worship. No longer is worship confined to a church service or a ritualistic practice. Instead, it becomes a way of life—a continuous offering of ourselves to God.
But why is sacrifice required to please the Lord? It's because sacrifice demonstrates our love, our devotion, and our commitment to Him. It's a tangible expression of our faith and trust in His sovereignty.
As you reflect on what God expects from you, consider this: Are you willing to be a living sacrifice? Are you willing to offer your whole self to God, holding nothing back? May we all embrace the secret of sacrifice and find true joy and fulfillment in pleasing the Lord with our lives.
What does God expect from us? It's a question that has puzzled many, including myself, for a long time. But as we dive into Romans 12:1, we uncover an important truth about the nature of sacrifice.
At first glance, the idea of presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice seems paradoxical. How can something be both living and sacrificed? It's like trying to reconcile two opposing concepts—an oxymoron if you will.
Think about it. We encounter oxymorons all the time in everyday language: working vacation, virtual reality, civil war. These are combinations of words that seem contradictory. And "living sacrifice" falls into that category.
But Paul, in his letter to the Romans, unveils the secret of sacrifice. He urges us to present our entire lives to God—our bodies, our gifts, our resources, our time, our very selves. And he tells us that when we do this, when we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, it pleases God.
Sacrifice is not just a one-time event; it's a lifestyle. It's about giving our all to God and holding nothing back. It's about surrendering every aspect of our lives to His will and His purposes.
When we embrace this concept of living sacrifice, it transforms our perspective on worship. No longer is worship confined to a church service or a ritualistic practice. Instead, it becomes a way of life—a continuous offering of ourselves to God.
But why is sacrifice required to please the Lord? It's because sacrifice demonstrates our love, our devotion, and our commitment to Him. It's a tangible expression of our faith and trust in His sovereignty.
As you reflect on what God expects from you, consider this: Are you willing to be a living sacrifice? Are you willing to offer your whole self to God, holding nothing back? May we all embrace the secret of sacrifice and find true joy and fulfillment in pleasing the Lord with our lives.
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