A GENEROUS DONATION VERSES A SACRIFICIAL DONATION:

                                                                       

                A LIVING SACRIFICE

     IT’S YOUR “REASONABLE” SERVICE

“…Brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

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God GAVE the LARGEST donation ever RECORDED in all HISTORY. “…God… GAVE his ONLY….SON…” (John 3:16). And his Son GAVE his LIFE. “….the Son of Man came …to GIVE his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

It wasn’t the donation of Jesus’ money, or material possessions, or clothes, or time that mattered as much as the "sacrificial" donation of his life. He GAVE his LIFE because he knew “…he [would be]…“crowned with glory and honor.” …” (Hebrews 2:9 NLT). And one day “… [he would also be]…elevated …to the place of highest honor …” (Philippians 2:9-10 NLT).

God, the father, knew “…when he (Jesus) sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant (Jesus) will make it possible for MANY to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT).

When the right "sacrificial" donation is GIVEN, God will say, “WELL DONE.” “…The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matthew 25:21 NLT).

GIVING your body as a LIVING SACRIFICE is a "willful" OFFERING and there is no GREATER donation than giving YOUR LIFE.  “….the Son of Man …GIVE his life…" (Matthew 20:28). “…If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you GIVE UP YOUR LIFE for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it…” (Mark 8:35 NLT). “…I assure you that everyone who has GIVEN UP [whatever]… for MY SAKE and for the GOOD NEWS, will “RECEIVE NOW” in return a hundred times…– along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

GIVING your body as a living sacrifice means to offer it, willfully, or dedicate it, voluntarily and completely to God. . “…Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God…” (Romans 6:12-13 NLT).

GIVING your body as a living sacrifice is a demonstration of your love for God and your appreciation for all he has done for you. “…If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live…” (Romans 8:11-13 KJV).

GIVING your body as a living sacrifice is both is an outward  and inward witness of the offering of your life to God, the Holy Spirit. “…Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

How do you conform, or transform or GROW, spiritually, in order to make this kind of offering to God? It starts by hearing the word of God. “…Faith cometh by HEARING… the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). Next, you study the word in order for it to dwell in your hearts abundantly. “…STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth…” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). “…Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you richly” (COLOSSIANS 3:16 KJV). Thirdly, meditate on scripture every chance you get; day or night. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8 NIV). “…His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night…” (Psalms 1:2 KJV). And, finally, if you can, memorization helps you hide the word in your heart. “…Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word HAVE I HID in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…” (Psalms 119:9-11 KJV).

Hearing, studying, meditating, and memorizing the Word of God will heavily assist, the indwelling Holy Spirit, in conforming, and transforming or developing you, spiritually, into true Christ-likeness. “…All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV). “…So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work…” (2 Timothy 3:17 NASB).

Therefore, “…May he (God) equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. …” (Hebrews 13:21 NLT).

Allowing scripture to conform or transform, or develop you; with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowers you to “….prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

It leads and requires the redeemed believer to GIVE their bodies or life's as living sacrifices. “…Brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice …” (Romans 12:1 KJV). “…which is your reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

In addition, GIVING their bodies as living sacrifices is also a form of worship. Worship is the attitude and expression you ascribe to someone you deem VALUABLE or WORTHY of praise, or adoration, or total reverence. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the PRAISES of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light…” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV).

Another form of worship is submission or servitude. By surrendering to the Lordship of God, the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, the redeemed are GIVING their bodies as living sacrifices. Jesus SAID he definitely did “…NOT come to be served, but to serve, and to GIVE His life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “…Father, …not My will, but Yours be done…" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). “… [Jesus]…humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).

 “…You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth…” (John 4:22-24 NLT).

True worship happens and true worshippers worship "IN" the PRESENCE of God's Spirit and truth, which NOW dwells within them. “…the SPIRIT of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…thy word is TRUTH…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “…It is God which worketh in you  … to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth (empowers) me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

This kind of worship calls for the authentic engagement of both the heart and body. “…Bless the Lord, O my soul: and ALL that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” (Psalm 103:1-2 KJV). “…And David was DANCING before the LORD with ALL his might…” (2 Samuel 6:14 NASB). “…..Love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart and with ALL thy soul and with ALL thy mind and with ALL thy strength: this the first commandment.  …” (Mark 12:28-31 KJV).

King David was a true and sincere worshipper. He prayed and asked God to help him become a true worshipper. “…Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may HONOR (worship) you…” (Psalm 86:11 NLT). God complimented David.  “…He (God) raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will…” (Acts 13:22 KJV).

God does GREAT things for his people. Therefore, God totally merits the adoration, reverence, devotion, honor, worship that is DUE his name; especially for “WHO” he is and “WHAT” he has done!! “…When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done GREAT THINGS for them. The Lord hath done GREAT THINGS for us; whereof we are glad…” (Psalm 126:1-3 KJV).

If you pay attention to the gospel you will see that apostles taught constantly about all the things God has done for us through Christ. For instance, “… the mercies of God … ” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

His MERCIES are received through forgiveness of sins, justification by faith, unmerited grace, right relationship with God through reconciliation in Christ, peace with God, and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED, because his compassions FAIL NOT. They are NEW EVERY MORNING…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV).

God is “... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “...O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD; for his MERCY endureth for ever” (1 Chronicles…” 16:34 KJV). “…he is good; for his MERCY endureth for ever…” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 KJV). “…The Lord is…plenteous in MERCY…” (Psalms 103:8 KJV). “…Great is his MERCY toward them that fear him…” (Psalms 103:11 KJV). “…The MERCY of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting …” (Psalms 103:17 KJV).

In addition, the bible further teaches how you should respond to all he has done for you through Christ. “…Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. …” (Romans 8:11-13 KJV). “…Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “… present your bodies a living sacrifice …” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

GIVING your body as a living sacrifice is not an act of duty, but a gesture of love. “…Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT).

God's people show their love for God by GIVING their bodies as a living sacrifice BECAUSE he FIRST gave his body for them and he FIRST loved them too “…He Himself bore OUR SINS in His BODY on the cross…” (1 Peter 2:24 NASB). “We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “For God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…” (John 3:16). God “…SPARED NOT his own Son, but delivered him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

Back in Apostle Paul’s day the Hebrews bought animals to sacrifice as an offering and NOW he was teaching them THEY were to be the sacrifice. Sacrifices for sin required the death of an animal, but ALL that ended with Jesus. “…Christ …. died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).

 “For the [Mosaic]…Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…” (Hebrews 10:1-4 NASB). “He (Jesus, the word) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).

“…God has shown us a way to be MADE RIGHT with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are MADE RIGHT with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely MAKES US RIGHT in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  For God presented Jesus as the SACRIFICE for sin. People are MADE RIGHT with God when they believe that Jesus SACRIFICED his life, shedding his blood. ….HE MAKES SINNERS RIGHT in his sight when they believe in Jesus…” (Romans 3:21-26 NLT).

Therefore, “… Present your bodies a living sacrifice …” (Romans 12:1 KJV).  “…which is your reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1 KJV).

 “Reasonable service” is one that is equitable, just, and fair or the “least” you can offer; considering what God has done for YOU. ^“Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT).

Redeemed Believers are FREE from the domination of sin “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…if the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Redeemed Believers are NOW EMPOWERED by the indwelling Holy Spirit to choose God’s ways. ^“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth (empowers) me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you can do NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Nonetheless, many redeemef believers are not willing to choose to offer even their “…reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1 KJV). “…Choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT). “…Jesus saith…I am THE WAY … and THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth (empowers) me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

Apart from Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit, you CAN’T GIVE your “reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). Even Jesus professed he could do NOTHING by himself. “…the Son can do NOTHING of himself [and also said,]…I can of mine own self do NOTHING…...” John 5:19, 30 KJV).

“…Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do NOTHING of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise…” (John 5:19 KJV). “…I can of mine OWN self do NOTHING … I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me…” (John 5:30 KJV). “… I lay down my life... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. …” (John 10:17-18 KJV). Christ “…humbled himself and became obedient unto death (inward), even the death of the cross (outward)…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).  Two deaths: “Obedient unto to death” and “death on the cross.”

Peter and Paul were living sacrifices too.  Peter said, “…‘We’ve GIVEN UP everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). Paul said, “….everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus [our]… Lord. For his sake I have DISCARDED everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ…” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).

Like Jesus, Peter, and Paul, “… Present your bodies a living sacrifice …” (Romans 12:1 KJV).  “…which is your reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1 KJV). 

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