Learning To Offering Myself (Body) to God

In review of Romans 12:1 it says, “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.”

Bottom Line:

We are special/dear to Paul, so he encourages that in view of all God has done to offer ourselves up as a living sacrifice to God, pleasing to Him.  This is truly the most sensible and appropriate way to worship him.

What this means to me:

Paul strongly encourages me, that in view of all God has done (God is good and shows me great mercy and compassion) to offer up my life as a living sacrifice, and to do so in a manner that is pleasing to Him.  This is truly the most sensible and appropriate way for me to worship God. What I’ve learned this morning is that for any change to occur in my life, I need to begin with the physical, because my body affects my overall behavior. My muscles can affect my mood and motivation. My physiology can actually affect my psychology. Romans 12:1 says, “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” (NIV). The problem with being a living sacrifice is that I can choose to crawl off the altar! I have to admit that I do this all the time. Over and over again, I offer myself to God, and then take it back. What I realize is that this is not a once-for-all offer. I need to do it constantly, multiple times a day! There are three things I can do with my body that the bible considers acts of worship:

• First is to cleanse my body. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” This form of cleaning is to control what I allow into my mind through what I watch and listen to and in what I choose to eat and drink.
• Second is to care for my body. Ephesians 5:29 says, “No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church” (NLT). Keeping my body in shape is an act of worship to God.
• Lastly is to control my body. “Each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” 1 Thessalonians 4:4 (NIV). I need to control my body so that it doesn’t control me. There is no reason for me to say, “I couldn’t help myself!”

No matter what kind of change I want to make in my life, it will require energy. To have the energy to meet my goals, I need to start with these three things with my body.