Worship with Surrender

“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

The Jewish rules for sacrifice were ritualistic and rigid.

These rules stayed in place up until the destruction of the temple. When Paul said to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God,” they were well acquainted with the idea of sacrifice. Sacrifice was a total surrender of something valuable. After long and labored discourse on righteousness, Paul lands squarely on what it takes to live a righteous life: give yourself, your will, your control, over to God, not by dying but by living a Christ-centered existence.

Most consider worship something we do during a church service. Some sing. Some fold their hands and bow their heads. Some kneel at an alter. Others are more demonstrative—raising their hands or jumping. While these are all fine, worship is more than just what you do at church. Worship is a daily surrender of self. The actions you take, the words you use, and even the way you present yourself become a reflection of the God you serve. Paul conveyed this after his call to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God,” and ended it with “this is your true and proper worship.”

How is this—offering your bodies as a living sacrifice—achieved? Paul follows it up with the answer in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our ways should not be the ways of the world around us. If you look like and act like the social lights you see in the media, you are most likely following the wrong pattern. The pattern is already set out for us in the Word of God, and it contradicts the standards of our society. One pattern condemns slander while the other endorses and shamelessly insults. One pattern denounces lies while the other promotes liars to the highest office. One pattern deplores adultery while the other justifies it.

Perhaps you have fallen into the wrong patterns. It is certainly easy to do. Thank the Lord for His correction, and change your life now. Offer yourself—your ways and your words—to God. Let Him purify you completely so you are pleasing to Him.

Think about it.

Does your life reflect the worship of your Savior? Would those who know you be surprised to learn that you are a Christian? If you have not committed your ways to God, consider what must change in your life to make that happen. Ask God to sanctify you, and commit time each day to God’s word. Hide those words in your heart.

Read about it.

What else does the Bible say about worship? Read John 4:24, John 4:23, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 96:9, Hebrews 12:28, and Luke 4:8.

Pray about it.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for falling into the common patterns of this world. I want to be transformed by you. Remake my life through you so that every part of my life radiates worship for the King of kings. In Jesus name.