In The Word
Read: Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
12 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. 2 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
3 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. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 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; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
As we continue in the Book of Romans, Paul started to focus more on the practicality of the Christian walk of faith. Paul started by concluding that due to the great and divine love that granted us a way of salvation, we should present ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God. A sacrifice that was acceptable in the old covenant was made so by God’s standards, not according to what the person offering it decided. The same is true today in our spiritual service of worship as we offer ourselves to God. The second verse tells us what is good, acceptable, and perfect to God, which is not being conformed to this world, but allowing our minds to be renewed by Him.
Paul also explained that we are members of the body of Christ, which is the church. As members, we shouldn’t look down on others, but realize that we are not all the same and that we all operate with different gifts. It takes all of us serving in our gifts to fully operate as the body of Christ.
Studies suggest that roughly 20% of the church as a whole is engaged and serving in the body. That means 80% of the people are not offering their whole lives as a living sacrifice. I encourage you today, if you are not serving as a member of the body of Christ, then get engaged and plugged in. God has given you gifts and talents to use for His glory and purposes. Don’t sit on the sidelines any longer. Jesus is wanting to put you in the game; you just need to stand up and let Him know.