"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service."
- Romans 12:1
In Romans 12:1 we are exhorted to present our bodies as a living
sacrifice to God- "holy and acceptable." But man in his natural state
is not holy; he is not acceptable. Controlled by the old man, the body
is neither holy nor acceptable. Only the man who has experienced the
crucifixion of this old life (the second aspect of the Cross) can
present himself to God as a living sacrifice. Thus this third aspect of
the Cross goes on to deal not with sin but with the physical body (or
humanity), that our bodies may be kept under control and sacrificed so
that others may live.
This is the secret of fruit-bearing that the Bible and all nature tells
about: "Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth
by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit" (John 12:24).
This verse does not refer to . . .
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
- Romans 12:1
In Romans 12:1 we are exhorted to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God- "holy and acceptable." But man in his natural state is not holy; he is not acceptable. Controlled by the old man, the body is neither holy nor acceptable. Only the man who has experienced the crucifixion of this old life (the second aspect of the Cross) can present himself to God as a living sacrifice. Thus this third aspect of the Cross goes on to deal not with sin but with the physical body (or humanity), that our bodies may be kept under control and sacrificed so that others may live.
This is the secret of fruit-bearing that the Bible and all nature tells about: "Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit" (John 12:24). This verse does not refer to surrendering the old man (self-life) to God, for we do not plant bad seed but good. This verse refers to handing over the new life to God to plant it so that thereby it may bring forth fruit. In order to make bread for others, God will break the one who has already been cleansed from sin, and has already been liberated from the domination of self, the world, and Satan.
Christian friends, our bodies are to be used for God's purposes. Because we have accepted the gift of salvation from Him, it's only reasonable that we should present ourselves to the Father.
What shall I give to Jesus--To Him who gave Himself for me?----To Him I give my life, my love,----For time and for eternity.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Give your all to Christ; He gave His all for you.