So, I encourage – even plead with you, to do this one thing. Do it because God has so extravagantly shown you His grace and mercy. Do it even though you will need His continued mercy to accomplish it. Present your body before the Lord constantly, as if it were a living sacrifice. Let Him do with it what He wills. That is the only acceptable gift that you can give to our Lord. (Romans 12:1)
Paul
sees his life as a daily, even moment-to-moment balance. He wants to obey God
as the Lord purposely uses him in His work with other people. This envisions
much more than simply following. He is calling for the reader to view every
circumstance as an altar where he or she will wait with anticipation for God to
animate them, while willing that He control every action. Paul’s reference to
an acceptable sacrifice also challenges them to be consumed by God’s work in
them, as He continues to bring them to purity and holiness. Sacrifices to God
must be pure.
If
you follow Paul’s advice, there will be no work, no relationships, no places
where God’s word will not be your answer. Nor will there be situations where
you will take back the reins of control over your actions because they are
secular or recreational pursuits. Can you make that commitment? Will you make
that decision?
Let
your will today be that God will enable you to become the living sacrifice Paul
describes.
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