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After Paul the apostle laid the foundations of biblical teachings, he exhorted believers on practical chrostian living. The voluntary presentation of our body to the Lord as a living sacrifice follows the manifold grace and blessing we receive from God. He urges us to a change or transformation of life, which comes as a result of the renewal of our minds.
PREREQUISITE FOR CONSECRATION AND SERVICE
Romans 12:1; Philemon 8-10; Romans 1:7,16; Psalm 103:3-5; 1 Timothy 1: 13, 14
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"I beseech you, therefore, bethren by the mercies of God..." (Romans 12:1). Apostle Paul calls on Christians to the supreme act of the yielded, consecrated and devoted life to the Lord. He did this with the tenderness of a father.
For our dedication and consecration to be meaningful, the new birth must have occurred. Also, since we have received the mercies of God, it is logical as a mark of gratitude to yield our bodies to the Lord as a loving sacrifice. "Bethren" are people "called to salvation" and washed in the blood of Jesu. Moreover, the manifold mercies of God guarantee the presence of God in our lives. Reconciliation with God breaks down the wall of partition between us and God. Forgiveness is by the mercies of God. Our response should be entire consecration. This is the only acceptable sacrifice that could express our gratitude for the mercies the Lord made manifest for our salvation, sanctification, Spirit baptism, success in academics, supplies of needs, security and sure promise of heaven.
PRESENTING OUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE
Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 8:3-5; Romans 6:12,13, 19
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The bodies of Christians are very important to the Lord. All the members of our bodies must be presented to Him. First, our hearts must be given to Him at repentance. It is the initial thing we must give to God.
When our hearts are given to the Lord, we are cleansed and purged from sins. Without this, consecration will be worthless, useless and unprofitable. Apart from our hearts, every other part of our bodies belongs to God. It therefore means we are to yield our bodies completely to the Lord and leave it free of every defilement.
We are to give all parts of our bodies to the Lord. In this context, to "present" means to yield and surrender; give as offering. What we are to present to God as offering here is our body, in which the redeemed soul lives. However, before it can be given to God, it must be holy. It means every member of our body must be daily presented to God, pure, holy and undefiled. Like Job said, " I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?" (Job 31:1), we too, as Chriatian boys and girls, should consecrate our eyes for the glory of God and the promotion of our holiness.
The duty of presenting sacrifices to the Lord in the old Testament was exclusively for the priests. In the New Testament, believers are priests to the Lord.
Sacrifices are offered to God and left wholly to him. The Christian offering himself, therefore, must surrender his life to God unconditionally, unreservedly and wholeheartedly. Nevertheless, he is still alive not dead. So, the Christian who presents himself to God is called a living sacrifice and he wholly yields himself to God only, to do His will alone.
PURPOSEFUL CHRISTIAN SERVICE FOR THE SAVIOUR
Romans 12:1; 1 Samuel 3:1, 19-21; Daniel 11:32; Acts 6:1-10
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As Christians who have received the mercy of God and called to be saints among the brethren, we are to render acceptable service to God. In addition, if one truly surrenders and consecrates his life to God, rendering acceptable service will be normal. It means he will spend his time, talent and treasures for the salvation of others.
The scripture and contemporary history gives us examples of young people who served God in their days acceptably. Joseph, David, Daniel, Esther, Timothy etc. are worthy examples to mention. Isaac Watts was a hymn writer. He showed an unusual aptitude to study and learned Latin at the age of five, Greek at nine, French at eleven and Hebrew at thirteen. He began to write verses of good quality music when he was very young. He composed more than 600 hymns. He is the author of the hymn: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross". He served God wonderfully in his days. What about you? You can start today.
As Christians who have received the mercy of God and called to be saints among the brethren, we are to render acceptable service to God
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