Bible Reading: Numbers 28; 29, 30. Mark: 8:20-38
“ I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” – Romans 12:1 (KJV)
I see a congruence in todays’ old and new testament reading with the connecting link being the scriptural verse of today of Romans 12:1. In our Christian journey we are admonished to emulate and look unto only one person as expounded in Hebrews 12:2 (KJV), “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Isaiah reiterated this very vividly in his prophecy of Christ in Isaiah 53:7(KJV) “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” In the same vain all the animals designated for sacrifice, as enumerated in todays’ passages in Numbers 28-30, do not have a say because they are owned for sacrifice. This was what Jesus was passing across to His disciples when he spoke of denying oneself. It means you will let go your will and submit totally to the will of God like Christ did. “Saying father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” – Luke 22:42 (KJV). This is total submission and that is what Jesus was communicating to us.
It takes a complete and total submission to the Holy Spirit to be able to live and practice holiness. Total submission to God and His word is what make us a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. This does not come easily as we will have to constantly battle the flesh in order to prevail. This was what apostle Paul was communicating to the church when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV), “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” It is only on this note that our service to God can be acceptable sacrifice unto our God. It takes a total submission to live a victorious Christian life. Most have mistaken the blessing for a prove of acceptance by God or a pass mark for serving God. A true sacrificial lamb is completely submitted to its owners wish. Most times our will stand between us and God, it blocks our hearing from the quiet still voice of the Holy Spirit. Our will is flesh dominated and can be easily manipulated by the devil because of the nature of sin in us from the womb. However, when we present ourselves as living sacrifice completely divorced of our will, we become easier to be led by God through His Spirit.
Our heart desire as Christians is to be engrace by the Almighty God for a total surrender to His will.
Prayer: Father give me the grace to be completely submitted to your ownership with whole of my being.
Brother Joel Ezeugo