Living Sacrifices
READ: Romans 12:1-5
Over a thousand years ago in the heart of the Mexican jungle lived a people savage and bloodthirsty in their ways. The people I am describing are the ancient Mayan people. It was a custom of these people to select from among themselves a person of excellence, whether it be a heroic warrior or a beautiful woman, and sacrifice that person to their gods. The chosen individual was taken to the top of a great altar where he/she was willingly slaughtered by a group of high priests. It was a great honor to be chosen.
In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices.” Now obviously Paul isn't urging us to move to the jungle to join a blood worship cult to the sun god. Rather, Paul goes on to talk about each of us being one part of the larger body of believers. With our own bodies, each of us has our own special, vital function. These functions are spiritual gifts.
Now, getting back to living sacrifices. As we see our Lord’s love and mercy through the cross and empty tomb, our natural reaction should be to offer ourselves, our entire being, to God’s perfect will. We can do this through our talents. For some it may be the gift of encouraging, for others the gift of listening, leading, showing mercy, or any other spiritual gift. When we do this with gratitude in our hearts to God, He is pleased and the body of believers is strengthened.
God grant that we all use our bodies as living sacrifices to do His will.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: What are some of your spiritual gifts? How can you apply these gifts to your life? When applied, in what way do you think they might strengthen the body of believers?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask for the devotion to apply our gifts to our lives. Ask for forgiveness for the times we have missed opportunities. Thank Him for blessing us so richly with gifts.