Pursuing authentic worship

The Opportunity of a Lifetime! (Pt. 2) October 22, 2011

(more thoughts on Romans 12:1)

What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”?

This is the act of worship right? It is where we take action and respond not just with the thought in our head but with the working out of it with our body – our actions. Earlier in Romans Paul makes the same point: “just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity…so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” 6:19 (This context here is presenting yourself as a slave. Rom12’s context is presenting yourself as an offering or sacrifice.)

Sacrifices are offered on an alter. In this case though it is not to atone for sins, or any shortcomings. The atonement has already happened because of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is not to get anything from God either! Everything has been given to us by our God: forgiveness, righteousness, holiness, power, life. (See Romans 8:31-39) All of this has been given to us by God’s rich grace ,which we receive by faith.

Again, this offering of myself does nothing toward bringing me salvation, righteousness or relationship with God. It is rather, a response. It is the laying of myself on God’s alter out of gratitude and understanding that I was created and have been “recreated” to be a living sacrifice – to have a relationship and  be a worshipper of God. The Greek indicates that this is to be a one-time presentation to Christ as my Lord, giving him all of my future. While it indicates a one-time dedication, it’s good to remember that it also will require many recommitments. While I know I dedicated my life to Jesus in my 20s, (actually when I was baptized) I have also had to make numerous, make that daily, recommitments to live as that sacrifice.

• Being a living sacrifice means I am surrendering my will to God’s will for my life.
• It means choosing God’s agenda and purpose for me rather than the world’s or my old life’s agenda.
• It means choosing to believe what God says about me and His plans for my life.
• It means choosing to live out who I am in Him.
• It means taking Jesus’ yoke (or teaching) as my own: to love the Lord my God, with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.
• It means dedicating every part of my body – all I have, my gifts, abilities, my resources, my relationships and my future to the God of the Scriptures and surrendering it all to Him, committed to following and doing all He desires. This is where authenticity starts!

If you haven’t made this type of surrender to Jesus as the Lord of your life what is stopping you? If you have, are you living it out in your daily life? Does your life compel others to know Jesus as Lord? 1Pet3:15

Lord, I surrender all to You. I have given you all of my future and all of my being, my gifts, abilities and relationships. Show me any areas I am not surrendering to You. Let me be a living sacrifice, fully committed to Your agenda, Your will and calling on my life in Jesus’ Name for Your glory and honor – and for the joy and fulfillment of my life’s purpose.