Text:
Romans 12:1-8
Memory Verse:
“…that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1b&2a).
The worship of God, as we have seen, does not and is not limited to the singing of praise songs. Acceptable offerings, as we have seen in the story of Cain and Abel, stems from an acceptable person. Responding to who God is acceptably is a befitting offering and can be done
by:
1. Surrendering your body as a living and holy sacrifice in a way acceptable to Him. This involves subjecting your desires to God’s (Romans12:1). Though difficult because the flesh is weak, even when the spirit is willing, this is God’s requirement.
2. Separating your heart from the world’s trends and values. Secular humanism, the me-first syndrome and the dependence on wealth for your happiness must give way to total dependence on God. Whilst, on the one hand, you should not isolate yourself from or imitate the world, you must
separate your mind from the world’s. You must be transformed by renewing your mind, allowing the Lord to sanctify it by His Spirit. God can change the way you think and what you think about, if you let Him.
3. Phillipians 4:8 encourages you to think about the right things, so you can please God. What you think of will determine how pleasing you are to God. Remember that if God can keep fish saltless, though it lives in salty water, He can keep you untainted by the world.
Which then is the best worship offering? It is that you make righteous choices every time and every day, so your person can be acceptable to God (John 14:15).
Prayer Points:
1. I offer myself as a living sacrifice to You, O God.
2. Teach me to live for You, Lord.