"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12: 1-2 NLT
In the book of Romans, Paul was writing to the new church there. He was trying to show them this new way of living.
They were used to making sacrifices to God. There were several in the Old Testament that they were custom to. It was the way God forgave them on their sins.
After Jesus offered Himself as the living sacrifice, those other sacrifices were no longer needed.
Then, Paul took it a step further.
Offer YOURSELF as a living sacrifice daily. That sounds kind of odd, doesn't it?
Was he expecting them to kill themselves every day? Or something weird?
Nope!
He was asking them to fully surrender to God, each day. Dying to themselves, each day.
This is about living for God and allowing Him to have every part of our heart and mind, each day.
In verse 2, Paul talks about them transforming their mind by thinking on Godly things, not worldly things.
Now, back almost 2,000 years ago, they didn't have the internet, with all of the social media you can imagine and the news in the palm of their hands. But Paul knew, even then, that the world's way wasn't God's way.
This isn't about control on God's part. This is about us letting Him be a part of every area in our lives.
God is a gentleman. He will not force Himself on anyone. How do I know that? Because He gave us a free will to chose whether or not to follow Him.
Those that choose to follow Him, He would like for us to live fully for Him by allowing ourselves surrender to His ways.
Are you living like this for God? Does He has your whole heart?
Are you renewing your mind with His Word daily?
Because, see, we have an enemy. He wants to keep you out of heaven. If he can't do that, he wants to keep you out of relationship with God and other believers.
He is here to kill, steal, and destroy. That's all he does.
When you stay in God's Word, daily, and see the truth of what God has for you, and how He wants you to live, you combat those lies from the enemy.
I pray that you will decide to daily give up yourself for God and that you will commit to renewing your mind with His Word.
If I can pray for you, please contact me.
God bless you today and always!
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