LIVING SACRIFICES

TODAY'S DEVOTION by Zig Ziglar

 I beesech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12: 1-2

We all make decisions that involve what we could call "opportunity costs": when we say yes to one choice, we're saying no to countless other options. The question we instinctively answer each time is, what gives me the most benefit? In this passage, Paul asks his readers to reflect on all he has written in the first eleven chapters of Romans about the incredible mercy of God to rescue us from sin and give us purpose, peace and hope. In response to God's mercy the only "reasonable" choice is to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to Him. Paul says this devotion takes the form of a "living sacrifice," a cause? Yes, but much more than that, we choose to follow a person, the One who loves us, and calls us His own. 

   When we say yes to God each moment we choose a lifestyle that reflects Christ's values. Paul tells us not to be squeezed into the world's mold of selfishness, but to let God transform us as our minds focus on God's truth. The result of saying yes to God each moment i the incalculable benefit of knowing and following God's perfect will for our lives. We join hands with Him to walk on the mountains and in the valleys of the adventure of life.