“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which his your spiritual service of worship.”  Romans 12:1

“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:16

Dear Friends,

Being a Disciple of Jesus is a sacrifice. I’m not talking about the things we may be asked to “give up” or “live without” in order to serve others. That certainly comes with the territory. What I’m discussing is the way Paul likens the Christian’s life to the Old Testament image of the Temple Priest placing an animal on the altar as a pleasing offering to the Lord.

When Paul began to trust and follow Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he presented himself as a “living and holy sacrifice” to God (Rom. 12:1). Then Paul saw his ministry of the Gospel to the Gentiles as part of his sacrifice to God. And he saw the fruit of his ministry (the people who were converted to Christ) as his offering to the Lord.

Similarly, we are to offer ourselves to God. All that we are – all we think, do and say – is to be presented to God to please Him by serving His purposes. As we do this, we can see how God desires to use us to influence the lives of the people around us.

Do you see your life this way? Or do you compartmentalize it into your Faith/Relationship with God on one hand, and basically living for yourself on the other?

Seeing yourself and your life’s purpose from Paul’s (and God’s) perspective will begin to make a radical change in your sense of meaning and mission, and will bring a sense of satisfaction and peace as you live for God as you never have before.

Please give this prayerful thought,

And may God bless you richly,

As you follow Jesus closely!

In His love,

Pastor Tim Sir