Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

Part II--The Process Of Reconciliation With God

F. Lesson 12--We Must Be Faithful In Serving The Lord

3. READ: ROMANS 12:1-8

b. What is this offering an act of?

Answer: The act or action of the believer in offering his body as a living sacrifice is a spiritual act of worship to God, (verse 1). It is being separated from the patterns of this world of sin and death, and being transformed by the renewing of the mind, (verse 2).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• This offering of the body as a living sacrifice is not a performing of certain rituals. It involves the working of the heart, mind and will. It is our worship--our obedient service--to God:

1 Corinthians 6:20: "you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

1 Peter 2:5: "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

• This living sacrifice which is our spiritual act of worship to God is not done just on Sunday in a "formal" worship service. We are to be living sacrifices DAILY in ALL that we do. We are to be growing spiritually at ALL times. We do not carry the gift of the Holy Spirit in us just on Sunday morning. God does not gift us with the Holy Spirit just on Sunday morning. We do not live in God and Christ just on Sunday morning. God and Christ do not live in us just on Sunday morning. God and Christ and the Holy Spirit do not note our activities and thoughts just on Sunday morning.

Perhaps one of the best Scriptures to show this giving of the body as a living sacrifice as a spiritual act of worship to God at ALL times is found in Colossians 3:22-25. In these verses, slaves are being given instructions about their righteous living in the Lord. Since believers are slaves to righteousness, these verses have a pointed application to believers who DAILY offer their bodies as living sacrifices in their spiritual act of worship to God, Who is the Master we willingly and lovingly obey:

Colossians 3:22-25: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism."