Sacrifice

 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1


God has been so merciful to us. He has given us his Son to reconcile us to himself. We cannot respond with indifference. Our lives can never be the same again. In view of God's mercy we must change.


If God gave everything for us, we must give everything for him. Spirituality isn't ethereal and untouchable. The greatest spiritual act was Jesus giving up his body to be crucified for us. The least we can do in response is to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.


When there's conflict between our spirits and bodies, we have to sacrifice our bodily appetites. Our bodies might be greedy; our spirits should be self controlled. Our bodies might be lustful; our spirits must be pure and prayerful. Our flesh might be tempestuous; the spirit is to be gentle.


If we allow our spirits to defeat our sinful bodily urges, we will be holy- set apart for God. We will be pleasing and satisfying to him. I should clarify that it's not wrong to feel hunger, or desire sex, or get angry: but it has to be in the right context of a balanced meal, the commitment of marriage, or refusing to lose our tempers at something we know is wrong.


"Heavenly Father, I worship you in spirit and in truth. I offer my body as a living sacrifice to you. Thank you so much for your mercy to me in Christ. Forgive me for times I hold back on giving you everything in return. In Jesus' name, amen"

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