live boldly

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

          What motivates your actions? Is it a desire to please others, please yourself, or to please God? If we really examine ourselves, we will find how much of our actions stem from selfishness or pride. Living life as a follower of Jesus takes discipline and self-denial. And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23) Following Jesus isn’t easy. We have to be aggressive against our sin and selfishness. We must strive, through the Spirit, to be holy and acceptable to God by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice.

When we hear the word sacrifice, we automatically think of some lofty, noble deed that we can never attain to. But that’s not the only way Scripture portrays sacrifice. Sacrifice is laying down our selfish preferences and being outward focused. It’s about living for others and dying to our selfish flesh. It doesn’t have to be great actions of self-sacrifice. It can be as simple as giving up some of our own time and energy to bring joy and love to others. God has given us so many blessings and gifts, and when we use them selflessly to further His kingdom, He is magnified. But that’s much easier said than done. The power to act selflessly and out of love comes only from God and His Spirit. If we try to do these things in our own strength, we will fail every time.  Praise the Lord that He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to conform us to Jesus! (1 Cor. 2:14-15)   

               Sacrifice is hard. Giving up what makes us feel happy or comfortable or safe in order to follow Jesus is painful sometimes. Our culture is all about self and what makes us feel loved. And we are all a product of our culture to some extent. It’s basic human nature to want to be happy, comfortable and safe. We want to be in our own comfort zone of selfishness and self-gratification. We are so good at coming up with excuses for why we aren’t obeying Christ like we should. 

“Oh, I don't need to share the Gospel with them right now because they’ll think I’m weird. It will just be awkward. Surely there will be a better opportunity later.”  

“I don’t need to confront sin patterns in believers I know. They will just get offended and never talk to me again.” 

But there are eternal souls at stake! Souls are worth far more than our comfort zones. If only we could see as God sees! It’s so hard for us to have the perspective of eternity because we are finite. Every sacrifice made for Christ is worth far more than your comfort.

               Slash the ropes that are keeping you tied to the ground in your Christian walk. Repent of the sins that get in the way of following Christ more fully. There are so many things that hold us down -fear of what others will think, fear of breaking through our own accustomed patterns and comfy routines. We shouldn’t miss an opportunity to share with others, no matter the cost. Jesus never did. Our lives need to be a sacrifice of worship. Worship isn’t just singing songs or praying. Worship is a way of living. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17) This life isn’t about our comfort or our happiness. It’s about living for Jesus, no matter the cost. We have to find our identity and meaning in Jesus, not in our accomplishments, the world, or ourselves. Live boldly as an offering of praise to the love of our great Redeemer.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Tim. 2:21-22)