Living Sacrifices
READ: Romans 12:1-5
Over a thousand years ago in the heart of the Mexican jungle lived a savage and bloodthirsty society - the ancient Mayans. It was their religious custom 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. As gruesome as it was, it was considered a great honor to be chosen as the sacrifice.
In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices.” Now Paul isn't urging us to move to the jungle and join a pagan cult that practices human sacrifice. Rather, Paul is talking 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 purpose. These functions are in the form of various spiritual gifts.
As living sacrifices, we respond to our Lord’s love and mercy for us, demonstrated through the cross and empty tomb, by offer ourselves entirely to God’s perfect will. We do this through the talents he has blessed us with. For some it may be the gift of encouraging, for others the gift of listening, leading, showing mercy, or other spiritual gifts. Not everyone has the same spiritual gift, but God gives everyone of his children through faith some gift with which believers glorify Him and serve His church on Earth. 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 joyfully.
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 so many gifts, especially the gift of our Savior Jesus.