Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness....But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Leviticus 2

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness....But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Romans 6:13, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter two - Giving to God in Worship - covering 2:1-16, looking specifically at the theme We Exalt Jesus, the Center of Our Worship. Here, the commentary looks at how the grain offering as described in Leviticus 2 points to Jesus and how we are to exalt Jesus in all aspects of our worship. 

• We demonstrate gratitude for how God provides
• We demonstrate dedication to God as our Lord and Savior, including dedication to how God expects us to repent from our sins and ask Him for forgiveness
• We are reminded that with the sacrificial system, first given here in the Old Testament with Leviticus and then done away with as Jesus died once and for all, God is not interested in empty worship rituals but in our heart condition - see post from a few days ago

The commentary emphasizes how Jesus makes possible our dedication by giving us a new self and new life.  Romans 6:13 is referenced how we are to dedicate ourselves to God and righteousness/holiness - we can do that through the life and new creation Jesus makes possible. 

We are urged to see how Paul uses Levitical language (see Leviticus 2:12, 14) in 1 Corinthians 15:20 where he refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."  The commentary states: "the resurrection of Jesus is the first of a great harvest of souls who will be gathered in heaven for worship."  We are urged to reflect on how our worship here on earth, and how despite how we may strive to dedicate ourselves in worship now, it cannot compare to the worship we will experience in Heaven.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is worthy of my full attention, dedication, and white hot worship...You loved me and saved me, even though I was an enemy of God; and you still love me and never leave me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - not at all!  My sin continues and I am easily distracted by the world and I often seek my own comfort first above You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Romans 12

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. Romans 12:1 

 

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of God's Mercy, which covers Romans 12:1-16.  My focus today is Romans 12:1-2, which my commentary refers to under the heading Offer Yourself to God. On the heels of Paul's closing marks in Romans 11, where Paul marvels at the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God, as well as His judgements and ways, Paul then pushes us to - therefore (v12:1) - be a living sacrifice - to serve and love God out of an outpouring of gratitude for what He has done for us and continues to do for us as He provide for all of our needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.   We are also cautioned to avoid conformity to the world, but instead to seek Him and how nearness to God can help us avoid this by directing our thoughts and desires to be more in line with Him. 

My commentary describes how Romans 12 moves from the "indicatives (the grammar of certainty and actuality)" of the gospel to the "imperatives (the grammar of commands)." We are to "rejoice in the glorious indicatives of the gospel!  The facts of the gospel have caused us to soar in worship throughout Romans, and now they give the proper basis for practical obedience.  God's grace should not make us lazy or passive but passionate and devoted to God, and this passion is 'rooted in faith and energized by the power of the Holy Spirit.' We are to see how Romans 12:1 echoes words expressed by Paul in Romans 6:13 and 6:19. The commentary describes how Paul highlights 'living sacrifice' as a form of dedication - the use of the word "sacrifice" along with "temple," and "priesthood," is used "without the actual physical apparatus associated with them...sacrifice is metaphorically applied to Christian service."  We are encouraged not only to offer our bodies to God (v12:1), but also our mind (v12:2).  We must avoid how worldly influences lead to a "polluted mind...[and] life." If we are able to orient our bodies and minds to God through scripture, worship, prayer, service, etc. then "we will be able to recognize and appreciate what honors God, and we can then set ourselves to obey his will."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - what an awesome God You are that You offer the Holy Spirit to advocate for me and to assist me...with all things.  Thank You Jesus for the Holy Spirit and for how You never leave or forsake me and how You have molded me...it has not always been easy but that is not what You promise.  I am blessed by all that You have done and what You continue to do.  Yet I am not deserving.  My sin of worry, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve, You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.