I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” vs. 1
Romans 12:1-2
When Paul was making his own decisions about life he used his personality and his learning to launch a crusade against Jews who believed that Jesus was the messiah. After he was confronted by the living Christ everything changed. Moved by the gospel of grace, he presented himself as a living sacrifice, and, directed by the Holy Spirit, used his life to proclaim Jesus as messiah to all who would listen, and even those who wouldn’t. In the course of that missionary work he began to invite all who were called by the Spirit into the community of believers to also present their bodies as living sacrifice. We don’t often think that way anymore. Instead we like to determine how our bodies will be used and are bold enough to dictate to the Spirit how we would like the days of our lives to unfold. “Our will, not thine,” is our prayer, and we wonder why we are so often frustrated and unhappy. In reaction some have learned to do as the old hymn suggests: “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.” Many do that in their morning prayers, daily offering their time and energy to God, and expecting to be used in loving service. And they are blessed!
Thought for the Day: What happens when our calendars rule our days?
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