Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Reading in Luke chapter 22, Peter asked the Lord if He could follow him. Peter even tells Jesus that he was ready to go with him, both to prison and to death. Jesus shared with Peter how Satan wanted to sift him like wheat and how he would deny the Lord three times that very night. Jesus also tells Peter that He has prayed for him, that his faith should not fail; and when he had returned to Jesus, that he was strengthen your brethren.”
Jesus did not desire Peter to offer a sacrifice of death to the Lord, but to offer a living sacrifice that was living daily toward the Lord. Later Peter did ultimately lose His life because He followed Jesus.
Indeed, throughout church history saints have lost their lives because they were living as true Christians.
Scripture does not instruct us to seek out ways to lose our lives for Christ, but just the opposite. We are simply instructed to live our lives in such a way that it honorably reflects Christ. We are to live and imitate Christ as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable.
So, Romans 12:1 indicates being a living sacrifice is our reasonable offering; meaning it is the most basic expectation as followers of Christ. Not to live imitating the world, but live our lives in such a way that people will come to know Jesus through our daily living.
Being a living sacrifice is the best way to express our Christianity to this lost world.
If we are living sacrifices for Christ, we will keep His commandments.
If we are living sacrifices for Christ, we will build our lives around His plans.
If we are living sacrifices for Christ, we will love one another.
If we are living sacrifices for Christ, we will enjoy the fullness of His love.
I am looking forward to our gathering together Sunday, May 31st!!!
May the power of the Holy Spirit overflow in your life this week.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
In Him,
Pastor Michael
Bless all in the Lord