“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” – Romans 12:1 (AMP)
Being in the Christian faith is a call to give to God what originally belongs to Him. The heart of man was supposed to be God’s originally before the fall of man but that connection was lost when sin entered into the equation. Many people who exist today, who believe in religion as a way to reach God all believe in giving to God one way or another but unfortunately, what they are giving to God is not as valuable as what He wants them to give to Him.
The Scripture is replete with examples of people who gave to God without having much knowledge of Him whom they give things to. The Old Testament has instructions of giving to the poor and the needy in the land and by implication, those who obey this instruction give to God. But, can a man truly give God anything without first of all giving what’s most important which God would have wanted to have?
Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome in the first verse of the 12th chapter on the need to give themselves, their bodies, to God as a living sacrifice, first of all. There is a way to give in the Kingdom and that way is selfless and sacrificial but whoever has not given himself, that is, his heart to God cannot give selflessly or sacrificially. It is important that you as a believer understand the essence of applying this truth.
On different days and different occasions, many give a lot to God of their resources but how many have truly given God their lives? To ask directly, have you truly given your life to God? What this means is that you intentionally submit the rulership of your life and lifestyle to God. Many attend church and even give offerings but they live outside the Kingdom of God in reality. Have you fulfilled the Scripture which says –“Submit to God…” You must be one who makes the decision daily to give himself to God without holding back.
Reflections: Have I truly given my life to God? Am I one whose body has been given to God? What do I do with my heart and body from Monday – Saturday, does it align with how I live on Sunday in Church?
Confession: The Lord is my Shepherd and my life belongs to Him always. I do not live under the government of self but under the Lordship of Christ. I do not yield my members as instruments of unrighteousness.
Related Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Bible Reading: John 1
