When Christ came into the world, he said to God,“You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer.”—He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach–if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard…
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.—I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.—And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them—For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.—Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Heb.10:5 NLT; Col. 1:22-23 NASB; Rom.12:1 NIV; Gal.2:20 NIV; Rom.6:13 NASB; Rom. 12:6 ESV; Eph.2:10 NASB; Col 2:6-7 NASB
Just as I am though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt.
Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come. I come.Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee I find, O Lamb of God, I come. I come.Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come. I come.*
Me, myself, and I seems a paltry offering for the King of Kings. And yet because of Jesus I can give my life to do His bidding gladly, boldly and humbly all at once. Because Jesus died freely in a fully human body, by faith I in turn can offer this body with all its life energy and quirks and strengths to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and know that He is pleased.
I don’t have to be a Handel offering an oratorio, or a brilliant scientist, or an eloquent apologist in order to bring God acceptable worship. I just need to live out what He’s instilled in me–this human vessel designed to bring Him pleasure. The very act of submitting my life to His Lordship brings Him great glory; for this I was created. Any glory that shines from our beings and doings is glory He put there to reflect His own.
And so, as one made alive from the dead and freshly aware of the incredible privilege it is to be brought near Almighty God, here I live to worship.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yous. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name!**
–LS
*Charlotte Elliott
**I Chronicles 29:11-13