Living Sacrifice

Good Morning,

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When I read these verses, which I'm sure we're all very familiar with, I sometimes wonder if, perhaps, we ought to read verse two before we read verse one. Or at least do as we're directed in verse two so that we can more easily obey what we're told in verse one.

I mean, doesn't it seem that it would be a whole lot easier to give ourselves as a sacrifice AFTER we have given up the things of the world?

So, very simply this morning, what I'd ask us all to do is to see where we are in being "non conforming" to the things of the world and how far along we are in the renewing of our minds. When we've examined that, we can see where we need God's help in moving toward Him and away from worldly thoughts and actions. Once we've done that, I think it would be so much easier and better to truly give our selves over completely...body, mind, heart and soul...as a sacrifice to God. As Paul writes, "A living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God."

Yes, a short message today. Doesn't need to be longer, does it? We know what needs to be done, I think. So, let's go and do it.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David