“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. Do not conform to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NLT
Paul is telling the Roman believers to become living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God. He even tells them how to achieve this:
“by the renewing of your mind”. How can a person renew their mind?
It’s transformed by studying and knowing the scriptures and by the power of the
Holy Spirit that dwells within. This is the only way we can learn to
discern what behavior falls in line with the Lord’s will for us.
The Old Testament
sacrificial system was meant to pay for the sins of the individual making the sacrifice. It was a blood sacrifice, for God deemed it
necessary for the shedding of blood to cleanse a person of their sin. It was an annual thing, not once for all time
as with Christ’s blood. Although the
sacrifice was important and necessary, the obedience of the heart was much more
important (1). It is extremely important that we reach the
place spiritually speaking where we can lay aside our own desires and follow
Christ, placing our lives at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us.
If you want to know
God’s will for you, seek it with all your heart and don’t make a move until you
have confirmation in your spirit that you have found it. The Lord has a personal will for us all. Just as no two snowflakes are identical, so
no two versions of God’s personal will are the same. They are tweaked to match the gifts each
individual has been given. It’s
different for each of us. Our God is
gracious and kind and will not ignore your request to know Him more. Just ask Him and listen for His voice in your
spirit. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible – New Living
Translation – Tyndale Publishing.
(1) 1 Samuel 15:22 “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and
sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than
sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
Amos 5:21-24 “I hate all your show and pretense - the
hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and
grain offerings. I won’t even notice all
your choice peace offerings. Away with
your noisy hymns of praise! I will not
listen to the music of your harps. Instead,
I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
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