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[/FLOAT-LEFT]Today's Devotional - November 5
The Price of Worship
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1
Recommended Reading
Romans 6:12-19
Imagine this Old Testament conversation: "John, I am headed to the temple to offer a sacrifice for something I did earlier this week. Could you give me one of your blemish-free lambs to offer? I only have one and need to keep him for breeding." Or consider this modern-day conversation: "Mary, I made a commitment to donate blood at the blood drive. Could you go in my place and donate a pint of blood for me?"
What's wrong with these questions? It's obvious—the person who has an obligation or commitment doesn't want to make a sacrifice to fulfill his duty. And yet that negates the very notion of sacrifice. A personal sacrifice costs something; "sacrifice" means we have less than before. That is consistent with Paul's words in Romans 12:1 where he urges us to make ourselves a "living sacrifice." Imagine asking someone, "Could you give your life to Christ in my place? I'd like the benefits but am not crazy about the cost involved."
Worshipping God involves many sacrifices: time, money, energy, our will, and our decisions. We should count the cost before making the commitment (Luke 14:28-33).
Consecration is resolution that is not afraid of sacrifice.
Unknown
Read-thru-the-Bible
John 9-10
[/FLOAT-LEFT]Today's Devotional - November 5
The Price of Worship
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1
Recommended Reading
Romans 6:12-19
Imagine this Old Testament conversation: "John, I am headed to the temple to offer a sacrifice for something I did earlier this week. Could you give me one of your blemish-free lambs to offer? I only have one and need to keep him for breeding." Or consider this modern-day conversation: "Mary, I made a commitment to donate blood at the blood drive. Could you go in my place and donate a pint of blood for me?"
What's wrong with these questions? It's obvious—the person who has an obligation or commitment doesn't want to make a sacrifice to fulfill his duty. And yet that negates the very notion of sacrifice. A personal sacrifice costs something; "sacrifice" means we have less than before. That is consistent with Paul's words in Romans 12:1 where he urges us to make ourselves a "living sacrifice." Imagine asking someone, "Could you give your life to Christ in my place? I'd like the benefits but am not crazy about the cost involved."
Worshipping God involves many sacrifices: time, money, energy, our will, and our decisions. We should count the cost before making the commitment (Luke 14:28-33).
Consecration is resolution that is not afraid of sacrifice.
Unknown
Read-thru-the-Bible
John 9-10
