A Plea

In a familiar passage in Romans 12, Paul pleads with believers to give themselves as a sacrifice to God. Such a response, he argues, is the only logical one for a Christian to make if he or she just reflects for a moment on all God has done for them through Christ--regeneration, redemption, justification, abundant grace and mercy, reconciliation, atonement as our propitiation--the bearer of God's wrath that we deserve, sanctification. As we mediate and rejoice in all that has been freely given us, Paul can't imagine any other choice but then to, as an act of worship, daily give our lives as a living sacrifice to such a loving God. The ultimate sacrifice is, after all, to live for Him daily.
Yet, as logical and reasonable and urgent as such a choice should be, it is still a battle. The world is constantly trying to lure us into embracing their view of things, which could, probably, be summed up in one word: selfishness. Oh, the world doesn't mind if we dabble around with religiosity--that can be quite self-affirming as well as drawing applause from men. Christian service can be quite selfish if done from a prideful heart bent on gaining external acceptance and "popularity" among our friends. And the "best of both worlds" is appealing as well. To claim the cross of Christ, while living a life as nearly identical to the world's pursuits as possible is quite attractive to our natural tendency to love ourselves more than anyone else. We are quite proficient at willingly being saltless salt and hidden lights. Experts. The war for our minds is on-going, constant, intense. Conform? Be transformed? Do I choose to run my life in order to please me. And pleasing men and having their approval always pleases me. Or do I sacrifice--and if it's not total submission, it's not a sacrifice--control of my life to His Spirit? Do I "deny myself" daily and follow Him, "destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God" my Creator Redeemer? Do I take "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ?" And what was His obedience? "I do always those things that please Him"--the Father.
It comes down to the basics as always, does it not? Pride or humility. If I truly understand who I am and how inexpressible is the love He willing gave me, the sacrifice He made on my behalf a hopeless sinner and a hostile enemy toward His will on earth, I will readily humble myself before Him--amazed that He even wants to use me to touch the lives of others in His name as unobtrusively as possible. Yes, living righteous lives under the control of the Spirit will not endear you to the world. They will hate you. In countries where they can imprison and kill believers, they do. In this country you will be mocked, laughed at, scorned--sometimes vitriolically. Sometimes by other believers. But how can one deeply mediate on His great love and not choose to give himself totally to Him day by day--"a living sacrifice"?
The consequences of that choice? You will discover that God's plan for your life is infinitely good; you will find yourself maturing into His likeness--the Perfect Servant; you will be "well-pleasing" to Him. And one day--beyond all human comprehension--the omnipotent God of love will take you in His embrace and say, "Thank you for letting me use you in my place to love the world I died for. Well-done good and faithful servant!" Unimaginable mercy and grace.
The Spirit through the pen of Paul pleads: "With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give your bodies as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and acceptable by Him."