Romans 12: 1 – 2 Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

We are redeemed to live out the grace which God has extended to us. No amount of verbal testimony can be a substitute for being an example of the goodness, patience, kindness and love Jesus showed while on the earth. He listened to people, he taught God’s truth, he fed the hungry, delivered the demon-possessed and healed the sick. He challenged those who oppressed the poor and he paid his taxes. He prayed for his disciples and remained connected to his Father. In the end he sacrificed his very life to save us. He was the one John pointed to when he said: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus fulfilled his assignment.

We are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Implicit in this is the avoidance of sexual immorality. (See 1 Corinthians 6: 18-20). It also means that although we are not all called to shed our blood, in following Christ we must be willing to deny ourselves by listening to whatever instruction the Holy Spirit gives and do what he says. It will cost something to be obedient. Out of that relationship will spring a desire to pursue God’s agenda instead of our own. Our lives will bear fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.