A Living SacrificeSample

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 ESV)

As I said in yesterday’s reading, God’s Word is our authority and our guide and our standard. Paul is fully aware that being a living sacrifice, though we are no longer conformed to the world and we are now transformed by the renewing of our mind, will require two things… endurance and encouragement.

There is a great verse by Peter, as he talks about the same thing. "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.(2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV) He and Paul may not have always seen eye to eye on things, but they both understood that this life of being a Christian, belonging to The Way, was a victorious life. But Peter knew it would require effort. Salvation does not require effort, but being a Living Sacrifice does. Peter says we need to add to our Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, Steadfastness (or Endurance), Godliness, Brotherly Affection and Love. (1 Peter 1:5-7)

And we, for sure, need Encouragement. I like to remember that the word “encourage” has the root word, “courage.” It takes courage to live this Christian life as a living sacrifice. When Joshua led the people after Moses’ death, God told Joshua multiple times to be “strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:1-9) Paul says that we can find encouragement in the Scriptures. I totally agree. Reading about our forefathers and foremothers in the faith, we see that they faced much opposition and many battles, but we see where God strengthened them, gave them courage and delivered them.

I also have found that when I ask God for some encouragement, He is delighted to answer that prayer. It may come in ways I do not expect, but it comes. And lastly, let us encourage one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)