How do you offer your body as a spiritual sacrifice? Romans 12:1 states, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Other versions begin this verse with “Therefore,” which means “in conclusion.” So, we need to look at the end of Romans 11. The Apostle Paul tells the believers in Romans 11:32-33; “For God has consigned [handed over] all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” We may not understand why God delivers us over to disobedience, but verse 33 explains, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”
We know that God is merciful, and we are disobedient because of the sinful nature we inherited. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Now, Romans 12:1 makes sense; “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Verse 2 further explains how to be a living sacrifice, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
We must willingly sacrifice our sinful nature and, by God’s mercy, choose to renew our minds with the truth to know God’s will and then obey. For example, we naturally want to complain and be discontent. Being thankful is a spiritual sacrifice because we focus on being thankful instead of complaining (Ps. 50:23, 116:17; Phil 4:6; Col 4:2). It is our sinful nature to be self-centered and prideful, but being humble and giving honor to others by considering their interests is a spiritual sacrifice (Phil. 2:3-6). Forgiving others when they offend us is a spiritual sacrifice. What do you think?
Spiritual worship is focused on pleasing God by doing his will. Only He makes us holy and acceptable, so when we sacrifice our fleshly desires to obey God and serve Him, that is our living sacrifice and spiritual worship. Please leave a comment and share your thoughts about what it means to be a living sacrifice.
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WEEK 26 – June 25 – July 1
Day 176-June 25—Worship God for strongly supporting us, who are blameless toward Him.
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” –2 Chronicles 16:9
Day 177-June 26—Worship God who delights in the welfare of his servants.
Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” – Psalm 35:27
Day 178-June 27—Worship God for His great love and faithfulness toward us.
Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! – Psalm 117:1-2
Day 179-June 28—Worship God for answering our call for strength.
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. – Psalm 138:3
Day 180-June 29—Worship God that He regards the lowly (humble).
All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. – Psalm 138:4-6
Day 181-June 30—Worship God that He will fulfill His purpose for you.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. –Psalm 138:8
Day 182-July 1—Worship God that nothing is too hard for Him.
‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. – Jeremiah 32:17
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All verses are from the English Standard Bible. To review the previous weeks, go to the 365 Days of Worship Page. This material is copyright protected.
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