“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship.” Rom12:1 NIV
I love looking at pictures of Mt. Everest. The majesty of it just takes my breath away. I’ve watched documentaries about it and have come away amazed at those who’ve trekked that mountain. I’m sure we’ve all heard the stories of people who’ve sacrificed life and limb for Mt. Everest. In any great endeavor there is inevitably a price to pay. These people were obviously willing to pay it.
As women of God our high calling is the greatest of all endeavor’s. It is a calling however in which we must count the cost. Because you and I have discovered the amazing grace of God, our eyes must be drawn to the cross. What can we say? How costly was His grace! When we come to the cross it is there we see that our salvation has implications. This is what Rom 12:1 is all about.
In the gospels we see Jesus coming into the path of certain individuals and giving the invitation to follow Him. What followed was an immediate response. They left behind life as they knew it, in order to take up a new life. This of course would mean one thing. A life sacrificed to His Lordship, His leading, and His purpose.
In no uncertain terms, the disciples along with the early church seemed to get this. Is it any wonder we are in awe of the influence of such men as Paul, Silas, and Barnabas. There were women who also accepted the terms of following Christ and their testimony too has rang out through the ages.
Sacrifice is not a word easily tolerated in human nature. It requires something that is contrary so deeply contrary our self-absorbed existence. Needless to say, the world we live in scorns the very idea. Yet it was this Jesus willed to do through out His earthly life. Each day He lived and moved and sacrificed His will to do the will of Him who sent Him.
If this was not the defining heart of Christ, then there would have been no wounds, no cross, and no salvation to which you and I owe are lives.
How does Rom 12:1 challenge your concept of following Christ? What connection do you see in presenting yourself a “living sacrifice” to God and His high calling in your life?