Romans 12:1 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (NKJV: which is your reasonable service.)
Hey hey S.i.S. (Sisters in Spirit)!
This is the time of year where we celebrate family, friends, and others with affection, love, and gifts. This is also the time of year when we have countless programs and services reminding us of the reason for the season as well as reminding us to have charitable serving hearts. While the sentiments and reminders are indeed accurate and much needed these days, we are still aiming somewhat amiss.
Jesus is not just the reason for the season. He is the reason BEYOND the season. Jesus was born to this world to not only be our Savior, but to also equip us to live a life of love, service, charity, and gifts.
Romans 12:1 reminds us that worship and service goes beyond holiday services and worship programs. Don't get me wrong. Those programs and services are wonderful, enjoyable, and needed. However, the sentiments must come from the overflow of our daily practices of being living sacrifices. Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices IS our worship and our service. This is why gifts, charity, and love go beyond just this season.
Romans 12:3 - 13 further warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. It reminds us that as we are enjoying the events, programs, and services, we ought not to give, sing/worship, prophecy, etc. in a way that showcases us and puffs us up. Instead of being tempted to showboat, we ought to do these things to magnify Jesus and all that He is as well as uplift others. THAT’S our spiritual worship and reasonable service to Him above everything else.
Be blessed my S.i.S!