Living Sacrifice (Part 2)

Continuing with Romans 12:1-2 and the concept of "presenting our bodies a living sacrifice", we should understand what is meant by "holy, acceptable to God".  First, the word "holy" means to be set apart for the purpose of God.  Does this mean only people who have a "religious" vocation - like a pastor or a missionary?  Of course not ... Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Rome - not just to the leaders.  Every one of us who is a disciple of Jesus Christ must consider ourselves set apart for the purposes of God.  We must be available for His purposes - no matter what our occupation.  We should not be engaged in activities that would bring dishonor to God.  And how do we become "acceptable" to God?  Live by the Ten Commandments?  If we seek to live under the Law, we must uphold the entire Law ... all the time.  That can't be the answer.  Try to be as good as we possibly can be?  No, we are acceptable to God because we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.  When the Father looks at us, He sees His Son.

Then Paul adds "which is your reasonable service".  The word for "service" can be translated "act of worship".  Thus, as believers our "reasonable act of worship" is to "present our bodies a living sacrifice" to God for His purposes rather than carrying out our own agenda.  Too many people think that "worship" is simply singing and praising in church on Sunday.  Yet our everyday lives should be a continuing series of "acts of worship" bringing glory to God.  Why does Paul use the word "reasonable" to describe us "presenting our bodies a living sacrifice"?  In my most recent post, we discussed the "therefore" in Romans 12:1 referring back to all that God has done for us as described in Romans chapters 1 through 11.  In light of all that God has done for us through His Son, it is only reasonable that, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we "present our bodies a living sacrifice" just as Jesus literally sacrificed His body for us.  More to follow in Romans 12:2 ...