“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)
In the Old Testament, during the time of Moses, while he was in the wilderness with the children of Israel, God gave them specifications as to what the nature of the animals they bring for sacrifice would be. They were not permitted to bring any kind of animals to God for sacrifice. Just like Apostle Paul wrote in the text for today, God was specific.
Giving is an act of worship. Every worship entails giving something to God. It is not worship if nothing is given to the Supreme Being. And this is the kind of relationship God had with the fathers of old in His dealings with them. When God began to deal with Israel as a nation, the first time was when they were in Egypt and God was preparing them for their exodus into Canaan. God had began to show great wonders to Pharaoh and his people but yet he hardened his heart and would not let them go. Then, God showed him once more who is the owner of the breath of life.
In Exodus 12 & 13, God killed the firstborn of both man and beast in Egypt but before then, He gave them a command to bring a lamb without blemish, a male of the first year, kill it in each family and use its blood to mark the lintel of their doorposts so that they would be safe from the angel of death that would ravage the land. This was how the Feast of Passover started (cf. Exodus 12). Take note of the specifications. This was the template and anything that goes against these specifications makes this sacrifice unacceptable.
What you give to God is what you dedicate and set apart for Him. If you must give your life to God totally, you must understand that you are now dedicated to God and set apart for Him alone therefore you can no longer live anyhow or subject yourself to something else that is not of God or that does not bring Him glory. What makes your life holy and well-pleasing to God is that you have dedicated it to God. When you belong to God, your desire would be to please Him only.
Reflections: Have I dedicated myself to God? Have I made the conscious of setting myself apart for God alone? What are the things that I do that make my sacrifice unholy and not well-pleasing unto God? What are the amendment s and corrections that I need to make?
Confession: For I have been bought with a price, I glorify God in my body which is Christ’s for the life I now live I live in the grace of the Son of God who died and gave Himself for me. My sacrifices to God are holy and well-pleasing for my life is dedicated and set apart for Him.
Related Scripture: Exodus 12:1-15
Bible Reading: John 4
