Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

A Living Sacrifice

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/29/23

Everywhere you look, people are in search of personal fulfillment. Even genuine Christians are bouncing around looking for emotional and spiritual fulfillment apart from Christ.

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul said that the key to personal fulfillment is to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to Christ, avoiding conformity with the world and renewing our minds by His Truth.

While Scripture tells us that God does discipline His children when they stray, the motive for surrendering our all to God should not come from fear of discipline but from a heart of gratitude that says: “God, take everything. Everything belongs to You.”

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” God longs for us to be able to rest utterly in Him so that we can say, “Lord, I am Yours. Use me as You will, as a living sacrifice for Your purpose.”

As we do, we find freedom from all our striving because we know we are loved beyond measure and adopted into the very Kingdom of God as heirs (see Romans 8:17). This is our worth and greatest purpose: to glorify and worship God as we are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

As you reflect on the tremendous blessings of God, may His love and holiness compel you to be a living sacrifice, ready and willing to give your all

Prayer: Father, I confess that I often look for fulfillment apart from You. Help me to remember that I will only be fulfilled when I offer myself as a living sacrifice to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).