A Living Sacrifice

Administration Pastor Nick Klempp

Read: Romans 12:1-2

Paul’s words in Romans 12:1-2 challenge us to live fully

devoted to God. He begins by reminding us that our motivation

for surrender is God’s mercy—His grace, love, and salvation

given freely through Jesus. Because of this, we are called to

offer ourselves as living sacrifices, meaning our daily lives

should reflect worship to God. So many times, we get stuck in

the pattern of going to church, saying our prayers before meals

but it is not just our words or Sunday services that make a

sacrifice. Sacrifice is to give up something important or valued

for the sake of other considerations. It is tough to do. The only

way we can be sure is to compare ourselves to other Christians

to make sure we fake we are perfect, to argue and put

confrontational posts on social media. No! The only way to

know (and really the only way to be ABLE to) is to be in God’s

word, to compare his words to our life and see how we are

living.

Paul then warns us against conforming to the pattern of this

world. Instead, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our

minds. Again, we can THINK we know what God’s will is but if

we are not daily looking into his word and saying to ourselves,

does this line up with what God says, then we don’t know. It is

easy to think we are doing right by man’s standards but

remember God’s way is a sacrifice- it is not the quick way out

and could cause friction.

In fact, we FIGHT against what God wants for us than just

giving in to his way of life- it reminds me of a song by PFR

titled Great Lengths that says “Why didn’t I go to such great

lengths to try to please you instead of trying to please myself”

Link to the song here,

We can get caught in our own thoughts of not wanting to admit

we are wrong or not wanting to face God’s truth. But as we

surrender and allow God to transform us, to make our mind new,

we gain clarity in discerning His will and His truth. The more

we seek Him, the more we understand that His will is not

burdensome but good, pleasing, and perfect or we chose to just

say we know and keep our head buried in the sand of the world.

Luckily, we have a God that is quick to forgive and allows us to

move on. Read Romans 3:21-26

As you think on these two sets of verses ask yourself

1. In what areas of your life is God calling you to surrender

more fully to Him?

2. Are there worldly patterns or influences that are shaping

your thoughts more than God’s truth?

3. How can you renew your mind daily to grow closer to

God?

Before you pray listen to this song, Hands in the Air by The Waiting

Link to the Song here:

(it is a bit lengthy but worth it) and read along with

the lyrics and think of the answers to the above questions as

you prepare to give them to God:

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your forgiveness. Help

me to live as a living sacrifice, devoted to You in all that I do.

Transform my mind and heart so that I don’t conform to this

world but make sure my life is shaped by Your truth. Help me to

daily raise my hands in surrender to you. Guide me in Your

perfect will and use my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.