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. 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. Romans 12:1-2
For most of my Christian life, I have heard Romans 12:1-1 taught from a position of sexual purity, but today God opened my eyes to another view. As we contemplate sacrifices and the importance of presenting sacrifices that are without blemish, let us think in terms of how we can make decisions that can make our sacrifices less than pleasing to God.
According to Strong’s Complete Word Study Concordance, the word for sacrifice in Romans 12:1 is thusia, and in this context it means “of service, obedience, praise offered to God, an offering, oblation (offering to God)”. For many of us who are in ministry, we often take on and do as much as we can for the Kingdom of God. We often wholeheartedly serve in different ministry areas, yet we hardly plan for time-off to physically rest and rejuvenate the bodies that He has given us – the same bodies that we are to present ‘holy and pleasing to God’.
I have been told that in any organization, there are always three types of individuals:
- Those who always take on more than their fair share of work,
- Those who will do just enough to get by.
- Those who can be counted on to ‘pick-up the slack’ where others fall short
It is not uncommon to find these individuals in churches.
Our entire bodies are to be presented to God – our entire bodies and all we do whether we sleep, eat, rest, work … whatever we do needs to be a living sacrifice. There is no doubt that there is much to be done, especially in these last days. Sometimes it is hard to walk away, but are we doing the right thing when we overcommit and under-rest? If we are tired and worn-out from doing what we believe to be the work of God, are we able to offer ‘true and proper worship’?
Sometimes a simple ‘I am sorry, but I cannot take this on’, will leave more room in our day to spend time with our Papa, or simply to rest. While we acknowledge that God is more than able to sustain us through what He has called us to do, we also acknowledge that God Himself rested. Jesus told us to come and rest in Him. Rest is important in the life of a Christian.
May God grant us clear revelation so we know when to step forward. May He also give us the wisdom and understanding to know when to step back and allow others to move forward, and may we find peace in the moments we choose to let go.
What God has ordained must be fulfilled – we need not worry that if we can’t do what needs to be done, then it won’t be done at all.
We are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices. We are not to conform to the expectations of the world, but to experience transformation that comes from having our minds renewed, then (we) “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. When we know His will we can walk in His will, accomplishing what He has called us to do with the bodies He has given us.
Inventory / Introspection: How can I make sure my body is always presented to God as a living sacrifice?
Personal Application: Scheduling time away from ‘frontline’ ministry does not mean I am not offering a sacrifice that is pleasing to God.
Dear Father, we give you thanks for the bodies you have given to us. We know that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made!’
We confess that we don’t often treat our bodies the way we should. Please forgive us for the times we have neglected meaningful rest and meals and other ‘transgressions’ as we hurry about doing what we understand needs to be taken care of. Help us to honestly weigh our schedules, and to make the right decisions when work needs to be done.
Eating well, resting well, and working smart are ways in which we can keep our bodies in ‘living sacrifice’ mode. Help us to make the decisions that enable us to offer worship that would give You the greatest glory.
Amen.
Blessings,
ann
Toni R
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By Baylis β2
Ann,
Thank you for your post today about the living sacrifice. You made an excellent point about the service aspect of Romans 12:1. In many places in scripture, we are urged to maintain purity, and we can not forsake that. In today’s culture, it seems to be getting harder and harder for many people, even our church leaders. However, I do believe the main point of Romans 12 as you pointed out is a call to service.
I am finally back in the blog world after a number of months of absence. My blog, By’s Musings is now at a new site, tied to a new venture I have begun which is a mentoring and consultant service called HigherEdByBaylis LLC, My most recent post partially explains my absence. http://higheredbybaylis.net/wp/bysmusings/. I would also invite you to look at two other very recent postings which I hope provide some new insights that I have discovered recently as I try to become acclimated to a new way of thinking.
Shalom and blessings, By
Ann
Hi By!!
Great to see you around again. 🙂 I will be over to visit you soon!
Thanks for adding to the comments. May God grant you all you need as you continue in service to Him.
Blessings and peace,
ann
Larry Who
Many years ago, I heard Bob Jones say, “If you’re in the will of God, the pay is the same if you raise a person from the dead or take a nap.” Jones’ little proverb has always given me peace about saying, “No,” to people.
Ann
Thanks for passing that on. Sounds like quite a logical line 🙂
Blessings Larry,
ann
Pat
“Um”! What a very good and needed word,you are so right Ann,many times we spend to much time doing things we think are important. And while they may be,we need to do those things God has planned for us to do. When we do there is time for rest,God has also been calling me aside for more rest and we need this to connect with our Father,and get strength to move forward. I love this good word for sure and I hope all is well your way,and that you will get that good rest.
Love you much 😀
Ann
Sister Pat!
I went a-visiting but I couldn’t find you 🙂 Good to see you.
“… many times we spend to much time doing things we think are important. And while they may be,we need to do those things God has planned for us to do. ”
Amen. If it’s not going to bring Him glory, I don’t want to do it!
Let’s keep connecting with the Source of all life. May His joy and peace surround you today and always as you rest and recharge in Him.
Blessings
ann
Caddo Veil
This is an excellent message, Ann–God bless you! I am learning to listen to Him when He tells me, “just this, no more”–so I don’t drive myself crazy trying to over-do. Have a much-blessed week–love, sis Caddo
Ann
God be praised, Dear Sister Caddo.:-)
It’s often easier to say “no” to the big ones,but the little pieces add up and wear us out just as easily.
May you take your “go ahead!” cues from Papa only 🙂
Blessings
ann
joseph elon lillie
So very good Ann. This word is being spoken over and over which makes me think we are about to be challenged with even greater busyness. We shall need to know how to prioritize rest.
Ann
Amen, Pastor J
I hope you see why I had to hold back the laugh when I read your snowstorm piece 🙂
I remember facing a snowstorm one Sunday. It took the car being stuck for me to realize ‘church’ needed to be at home that day!
May you rest and rest well in the peace that comes from knowing that you are walking in the ‘good, pleasing and perfect will’ of our Daddy.
Blessings and rest,
ann
joseph elon lillie
I am resting. We had to cancel midweek service last night.
Ann
Isn’t our Lord just wonderful?!
He does know what we need before we ask. 🙂
Blessings
ann
Debbie
“And may we find peace in the moments we chose to let go.” Thanks so much , Ann full of grace and song, as you help us consider what kind of sacrifice we are . ..a worn out, burned out one, or a worshiping , living for Him one. Praying to remember it doesn’t mean I don’t love Him or care about others when I say no to some things, but listen all the more closely to the things He asks me to say Yes to . .like those times of rest. God bless you as you serve Him and rest in Him.
Debbie
I’m back again! I had read something earlier today, and then when I re-read it, I thought I would share it with you! It’s from “Streams in the Desert” by L. B. Cowman / Jim Reimann.
“Earnestly desire to get alone with God. If we neglect to do so, we not only rob ourselves of a blessing but rob others as well, since we will have no blessing to pass on to them. It may mean that we do less outward, visible work, but the work we do will have more depth and power. Another wonderful result, will be that people will see “no one except Jesus” (Matt. 17:8) in our lives.”
Thanks again, Ann, and God bless!
Moore to ponder
Deb, is it okay if I share your quote? I have a facebook friend that could benefit from it.
Debbie
Absolutely, Theresa! I keep finding wonderful gems in this book, to share!
Ann
Thank you, Dearest Deb 🙂
I love that quote! It really fits in well with the post. Thanks for adding 🙂
Letting go is not always easy, but with His help, we can do it!
May God bless you much as you draw closer to Him.
Blessings
ann
Moore to ponder
I am so glad I came by here at this moment! that I just got off the phone with a loved one who had bitten off more than she could chew. I sent a link to her so she could read this. 🙂
Blessings,
Theresa
Ann
God’s timing is perfect!
Thanks for being a bridge, Dear Theresa
May God continue to bless you as you share His love with others.
Blessings
ann
Ben Nelson
This is a good word Ann. I know it is easy for me to take on way to much at cost to time and family. Thank you – and Thank you Pastor J for the recommendation of Ann’s site.
Ann
God bless you, Ben. Welcome to this side of blog-land!
God be praised. Thankful you found us. May God order your steps as you journey!
Pastor J, thanks for the mention. Bless the Lord.
In His Service,
ann