(Be) TransformedSample

On day two of this devotional, we read through the whole passage of Romans 12 and made note of areas where we want to be more intentional. Maybe you struggle to see that you have specific, God-given gifts. Maybe living sacrificially or giving generously is a challenge for you. Perhaps you struggle to forgive those who hurt you. We all can have a hard time with that one.

The first couple of verses in Romans 12 hold the key to effectively living out the instructions in the remaining nineteen verses.

In verse one of Romans 12, Paul urges believers to present themselves to God as a “living sacrifice.”

What is this living sacrifice? It is one of obedience and “true worship” marked by surrender and reverence towards God.

What makes this living sacrifice possible? God’s mercy.

What are the characteristics of the living sacrifice? “Holy and pleasing.” Holy means to be set apart and designated for God’s will. Notice Paul does not say our sacrifice will or should be perfect. He says it should be holy and pleasing to the Lord.

If you’ve read through the Bible, you know there is much said about making offerings to God, particularly in the Old Testament. Before Jesus was sent to earth as the final and perfect sacrifice, God’s people were required to make regular offerings to Him as a sign of obedience, repentance, and worship.

Being a living sacrifice requires a similar offering. It means we prioritize our offering to God by both putting Him first and holding nothing back from Him. We aren't meant to pick and choose what we surrender to God, but we do this all the time.

It is, as Paul writes, “in view of God’s mercy,” that we can approach Him boldly and confidently. Through the empowerment of God's grace, we are able to identify areas we need to surrender in order to make room for transformation.