Christian Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 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. (NKJ)

First of all, this is not the command of God, but rather our Father beseeches us, in view of his sacrifice of his best for us, which he made by not sparing his own Son from death on the cross for our sins, that we should in response to his sacrifice give over ourselves entirely to him as living and active sacrifices for the sake of his Name and Glory, ready to do all that he calls us to do in the light of his sovereign grace.

It is not my life to live, but His in me, nor my ambitions, but his for me and through me. Whether he call me to menial or maximal service, in the end it will have his praise, his crown of reward, near his throne.

Is this yours?

Be What the Lord Wants You To Be

Last evening in our small group we discussed the Divine Election to salvation which all of us believers enjoy.

A big take-away for me is to continue to contemplate the intersection of ambition and predestination.  It seems that they are at cross-purposes when carnal ambition masquerades as godly aspiration to Christian service.

How hopeful and satisfying it is to rest in God's predestination (of me).  If I follow Him, then I can "be all I can be," to use the old slogan, knowing that I will be made to be what He wants me to be, and it will please Him.  That's all that counts.

Glory be to God.