“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.” Romans 12:1 NIV
Paul presents God’s mercies as his strongest argument for giving ourselves to God: “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” When we recognize what God has done for us through His son, Jesus Christ, the only response is to give ourselves completely to Him. Jesus is the grace-giver; the one who saves us. We are sinners and that sin has deathly consequences. But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took our place taking upon Himself the consequences and punishment of our sin so that now there is no condemnation for us. We are saved from eternal separation from God to the eternal presence of God. That is an act of grace and mercy; it is the ultimate gift – we must never forget that. This should be motivation enough for us to give our whole lives to God. If reflecting on God’s mercies doesn’t move us, then we are in trouble. Where would we be without God’s love and forgiveness? Where would we be without God’s presence in our lives? What kind of hope would we have without Him? Let us think for a moment about our situations. Consider our family, our friends, our job and our church. Do we deserve those on merit alone? If we are honest with ourselves, suddenly we begin to realize the wonder of God’s mercies. Let us offer ourselves daily to our Lord, for the continuing work of renewal in our lives, through the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, we offer our lives to You for continual renewal.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, as we stand in wonder of Your great mercies, we offer ourselves daily to You, for the continuing work of renewal in our lives, through the power and ministry of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Revelation 14:8-20
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