Discipleship Response
Romans 12:1b
Therefore I urge you – 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.
~ Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
If you have not done so yet, read through Romans 12:1-21 (below).
Thursday will be a natural follow-up to Wednesday’s relationship identity drawn from the weekly theme. The identity piece from yesterday was this: We are recipients of His mercy. In view of that mercy from God, the Apostle Paul calls us to offer ourselves to be lifelong sacrifices as acts of worship.
Romans 12:1-21
A Living Sacrifice
1 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.
Let’s review our lives of worship for God:
Review the Week
How would you say your life could be described as a sacrifice to God? How are you currently bringing worship to God in your daily life? What sacrifices would you point as reflective of being the living sacrifice Saint Paul describes?
Repent if Necessary
Repent of living without thought of bringing praise to God by your choices, or of failing to be holy and pleasing to God. You may consider repentance for failing to offer grace to others in God’s name. Review Romans 12 for more ways to assess yourself.
Return as Necessary
Thank God once again for His mercies that are new every morning. Then recommit yourself in the name of Jesus to be a holy and pleasing sacrifice to God.
Prayer for the Day
Heavenly Father, I recommit myself to You as a holy and pleasing sacrifice. Let my attitude be an honorable song, my actions a pleasant melody, my treatment of others a hymn of highest praise to You. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.