“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 NKJV
In our study of scripture, it is easy to lose sight of the authors’ message without an accurate understanding of the context they were speaking from. For example, Apostle Paul, in our anchor scripture, implores us to present ourselves as a “living sacrifice.” However, this may sound contradictory because animal sacrifices in the Old Testament were usually killed in worship to God.
The Old Testament Fathers like Abraham and Elijah built altars of sacrifices to God in worship and commemoration of God’s presence with them (Genesis 12:7-8, 1 Kings 18:32-35).
Now that we have Christ in us (Ephesians 2:1), Apostle Paul urges us to die to ourselves everyday in living out the life of Christ. This is what it means to present our bodies as a living sacrifice – being dead to self and alive in God. He admonished the Galatian church in this way:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Dear believer, the day you received the life of Christ was the day you stopped living for yourself and opened yourself up to the leading of the Spirit. Your daily life and devotion must testify of divine leading because you now live for the One who saved your soul.
Like Apostle Paul said to the Roman church, divine leading is evidence that you are a child of God.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 NKJV
Let your daily conduct and fervent devotion reflect the divine leadership you have in Christ. Your consistent devotion to God in prayer, and study and obedience to the word of God shows that you trust the leading of the Spirit. It rids you of the desires of the flesh and self and helps you focus on God’s plan for your life (Romans 12:2).
Remember, a life of consecration will always produce a naturally supernatural life, where divine leading is constant.
SAY THIS: I yield to the divine leading of God over my life. I present my body as a living sacrifice unto God. My life reflects the word of God. I live a naturally supernatural life.
Bible Reading Plan: John 6: 52-71