Living Sacrifices
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1–8 (ESV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Paul now turns from theology to practical living. In light of God’s mercy, we are to offer ourselves fully to Him—not as dead sacrifices, but as living ones. Our lives, surrendered to God, are an act of worship.
We are not to be shaped by the patterns of the world, but transformed through the renewal of our minds so that we can know and live out God’s will. This transformation impacts how we view ourselves—not with pride, but with humility—and how we use our spiritual gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ.
Every believer has a role to play, and each gift is valuable. When we use our gifts with love, humility, and zeal, we reflect the grace God has given us.
Prayer Points:
Surrender yourself afresh to God as a living sacrifice.
Ask Him to renew your mind so you can discern His will.
Pray for humility and faithfulness in using your spiritual gifts.