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A Living Sacrifice

Volume 1 Issue 8

Scripture
Romans 12:1-8

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. ‍Do not conform any longer 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 measure of faith God has given you. ‍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 who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ‍We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. ‍If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ‍if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Sunday

Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.

Spend several minutes meditating on Romans 12.

Who is talking?
To whom?
When and under what circumstances?
Where?
What was the purpose (teach, rebuke, entertain, emote)?

Now, consider the passage phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.

Monday

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

What is sacrifice?

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines it as “an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially : the killing of a victim on an altar.”

When Christ gave his life for us on the cross, He provided the ultimate sacrifice. The cross became His altar as He offered Himself. The Father accepted His sacrifice that should have been ours. In exchange, He requires our lives.

Here is what we get:

For this, we must present ourselves as living sacrifices – lives totally dedicated to His work, living each day, in faith, expecting His direction and provision because He loved us first and presented the first, perfect sacrifice.

How are you at “laying it all down”? Are their areas you are not, yet, willing to sacrifice for Him?

Pray: Jesus, thank you for becoming a sacrifice for me. Help me to, in turn, give myself totally to you.

Tuesday

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says worship is “reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence.”

According to Romans 12, then, when we offer our bodies as living sacrifices – when we give Jesus total obedience in every area of our lives – we are giving reverence to Jesus Christ. Every act, whether it be brushing your teeth, raising children, or punching the time clock, becomes an act of worship. How much greater worship are the “spiritual disciplines” such as Bible study and tithing?

Worship brings us directly into the presence of God. So, when we give our lives in obedience to Christ, we dwell in the presence of the Almighty. And there, sin has no power over us.

Are you walking in total, immediate obedience to Jesus Christ? If yes, what benefits do you see? If no, what areas do you need to present to Him as a sacrifice?

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice. Help me to walk, daily, in the victory You purchased for me.

Wednesday

Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2

‍But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ‍Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. Romans 5:15-16

Romans 12:1, when taken by itself, can lead to a legalistic lifestyle. “I have to obey God to prove I love Him.” Anytime you find yourself saying “have to” about any aspect of your relationship with God, it’s time for a spiritual health check-up.

Jesus left us with two rules: Love God and love people (Luke 10:27). Love is delightful. It is never a burden and never a “have to.” Love can’t wait to give. Love is eager to serve. Love is anxious to believe. (1 Corinthians 13)

Romans 12:2 sheds further light on the first verse of the chapter. “Don’t be conformed, . . . but be transformed.”

Notice, it does not say, “transform your mind,” but “be transformed.” I can no more renew my mind than I can change into a horse. I am sinful. You are sinful. By nature, thanks to Adam’s sin. But Jesus Christ brings us the transformation, He started it and has finished it. (Hebrews 12:2) He will do the renewing and transforming so we can know the will of God and walk in obedience.

In what areas does your mind need to be transformed so your thoughts and actions can line up with the Word of God?

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for transforming my mind so I can see Your will. Remind me to walk in the new life You already purchased for me.

Thursday

Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2

But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. . . . The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:10, 15-16

What is God’s will in this situation? If I had a dime for every time I’ve asked that question, I’d be rich. I have spent untold hours begging God to show me what He wanted me to do. But, now I’m learning, I was asking for the wrong thing.

When I am begging God to reveal His way to me, I am not trusting Him to guide me. I am demonstrating my need to be in charge of my life. I am showing my untransformed spirit and unrenewed mind.

When Christ has transformed my mind, I can have peace that, in God’s time, he will lead me in the way I should go. If my mind is renewed, I will know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. He may not reveal it to me in my timetable, but, again, when I am walking in new life, I understand that God operates outside of the box we call time. So, if I am following Him, it is never too late.

Reflect on the times you struggle/have struggled with knowing the will of God.

Pray: Jesus, thank you that, through You, I can know all things. Help me to remember to walk in Your renewed life, peace, and strength.

Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts?

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me (fill in the blank):

Show me how You want me to grow.

Record His answer in your journal.

Saturday

Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ’s faithful, eternal mercy and love.

Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for giving Yourself so I can, in turn, give myself in obedience to you with a renewed mind and a transformed my Spirit. I am no longer who I was, but a new creation in You. Cause Your peace and love to overflow into these areas of my life:

We will look at the remaining verses in this passage next week.