As I read through the books of law in the Old Testament, especially Leviticus and Deuteronomy, I’m always amazed at the number of various sacrifices. And of course, before any sacrifices could be offered by the priest on behalf others, he had to go through a process of ritual cleansing and atonement for his own sins.
However, as Christians, we have the assurance of Christ Jesus—God’s one and only Son, the perfect sacrifice, who laid down His life for us at the cross for our sins—dying for sins He did not commit so that we might choose eternal life that we don’t deserve, (John 3:16). The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:2, states it this way: “…Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
If you recently accepted Christ, you may be asking, “So…what’s the next step?” Far too many Christians seem to stop with the salvation experience. Too many think, “Well, I’ve got my ticket to heaven stamped and validated so now I can sit back and relax.” However, if that were true, God would take us immediately to heaven. Since typically, that does not happen it stands to reason God has other plans for us (including fitting us for heaven to live with Him there).
It is not my intention to give you an exhaustive to-do list, but to direct you to what is called our reasonable service. To complete Paul’s thought in Ephesians 5:2 mentioned above, he tells us in verse 1, we are to follow God’s example. Verse 2, begins by telling us we are to “walk in the way of love”. So, just as God loved us and gave us His Son; Christ loved us and gave Himself for us and by way of example, we are to love others.
Further, Paul states in Romans 12:1: “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.” Offering our lives—the way we live, everything we do, whatever we say, etc.—as a testament of God’s love for us. The King James Version translates the ending of the verse as, “which is your reasonable service”.
This does not speak of a passive life-style. Instead, it portrays a picture of someone busy in the service of God. And it calls this busy, active life-style of service to God reasonable, true, and proper worship.
I hope you aren’t feeling overwhelmed but instead you are feeling the assurance of the power of the Holy Spirit residing within—knowing you can do whatever God asks of you, in whatever circumstances you find yourself. If so, you are on the right track. When God brings you to something He equips you for it and leads you through it. Because of that dear friends, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased”. Hebrews 13:15-16
Amen and may God richly bless you!
