Each morning, I spend time reading God’s Word. In the past, I studied a book of the Bible, reading a section at a time and doing my own research. At times, I followed a guided Bible study, or used the Bible Project app. Lately I have chosen various devotional plans on the YouVersion app.
Continually Reading Romans 12:1-2
In each of these recent plans, the authors referenced Romans 12:1-2. I didn’t intend to study those two verses specifically. However, I continually studied the same topic. I even completed a plan that dealt specifically with just those two verses!
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
These verses are tough. I read them and the phrases or words that jump out are living sacrifice; holy; be transformed; discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Did you notice that if you just read what popped out to me, you could get a skewed view of what Paul is talking about?
Trying to Define Living Sacrifice
Often, we read these verses, and we walk away with the idea that we must give everything up. And that is true, yet probably not in the way we imagine. We create a picture in our head that we are to be slaves at the beck and call of God. Since we are slaves, we forfeit all fun, fashion, fancy food, and freedom. We envision a life of hard labor as if we were in a Charles Dickens novel.
Pastors talk glowingly about these verses, so we strive to figure out how to act like or be a “living sacrifice.” I wonder if we are just trying to find some hint of control over our lives. After all, the idea of releasing complete control to someone else, even God, is difficult.
Defining by Comparison
We tend to compare ourselves to others when we seek a definition for living sacrifice. I’ve learned not to compare myself to my sweet Pastor husband. He’s an achiever, and he always accomplishes more in a day than I can even imagine. I admit, some days I find it very annoying. I also admit, on other days, I take full advantage of it.
We all find difficulty when we compare ourselves to others. God gifted us with different abilities, interests, personalities, levels of patience, strength, skill sets and more. God did not create us to be robots all doing the exact same thing. However, He did create us in His image to treat others with His compassion, grace, and love.
Keep God’s Mercies in View
To keep me from spiraling over living sacrifice, Holy Spirit in His wisdom and grace pointed out two specific things to me from Romans 12:1-2. First of all is the phrase, “in view of the mercies of God.” Even as I type those words, tears come to my eyes. I am desperate for God’s mercy.
God’s mercy is found in His forgiveness, the forgiveness that allows us entrance into His holy presence and declares we are His sons and daughters. God’s mercy is found in His compassion toward us. He reveals His mercy in His goodness, His presence with us, His intervention in our lives, His willingness to bend His ear and listen to our prayers.
God offers mercy to us when we hit the alarm too many times in the morning and then rush through all that has to be done with a snippy and frustrated attitude. He extends mercy to us when we worked hard, gave our best, fell short of the goal, and now wallow in our negative thinking and self-incrimination. Christ wraps us in mercy when we are happily doing our thing and inadvertently crush someone’s spirit because we didn’t take the time to be aware of those around us.
Everything begins with God and His mercy. Whatever we face in a day, we manage after we firmly set our hearts and minds on God’s mercy. We choose our attitudes and behavior through the filter that God is merciful toward us. We keep God’s mercy always in view.
Present Yourself to God
The second thing Holy Spirit pointed out to me was the phrase “present your bodies.” Other translations use the words offer or give instead of present. In The Message, Eugene Peterson uses the phrase “place it before God as an offering.” With great tenderness, Holy Spirit whispered just offer yourself to me for this moment.
This is not a one-time event; this is a day-to-day submission to God’s authority. As Holy Spirit and I were processing this concept together, I lived one of those emotional days. You know what I mean? I felt sad and overwhelmed and tired and unable.
At one point in the day, I was headed up the stairs to get work done at my computer. I felt the Spirit’s prompting to say, “I present myself to you.” In that moment, God’s presence reassured my spirit; He would lead as I worked in my office. I experienced His comfort and His pleasure.
When we head out for a day of shopping, we should present ourselves, our desires, and our wallets to God. As we drive into work, we must present ourselves, our schedule, our work relationships, our frustrations or dreams to God. If we discover a neighbor is in need, we present ourselves to God and ask what He would like to do. If we need to discipline our children, we present ourselves to God and seek His wisdom.
We present ourselves to God, and then we listen. We wait for Holy Spirit to reveal the next step. In addition, we rest in God’s strength, wisdom, love, and mercy. There is no need to rush. There is only a need to trust.
Here I am Today
We don’t need to feel so overwhelmed by Romans 12:1-2. Paul certainly challenges us to give Christ all of who we are, nothing held back. However, we can gain reassurance and strength by keeping God’s mercies always in view. Then, we can begin by just offering ourselves for the moment ahead, stating “here I am today” to our Lord and Savior. God will do the rest.
