JULY 26, Romans 12:1-2 

When I was a young non-Christian, I saw how my mother killed a live chicken by cutting its throat with a knife. Blood spurted out. She threw it into a pail and covered it. The chicken squawked and bumped about in the pail, making a lot of noise. Finally it became silent. Mother boiled a huge pot of water and poured into the pail. Most of the feathers came off. She cleaned it further until it was white and clean. The chicken was steamed, ready to be eaten. But it was not placed on our dining table yet; we had to offer it to an altar full of idols.The chicken was first presented to these idols as a sacrifice to feed them. A dead sacrifice. Are we surprised that sacrifices are dead? No, all sacrifices are dead!

The first 11 chapters of Romans contain wonderful and profound doctrines and they help the believer understand the great truths of Christianity. However, doctrine alone is not enough; we have to be sure we live out what we say we believe. So Paul introduces in this chapter the practical aspects of the Christian faith, and starts by giving a concept that is new to man: a sacrifice that is alive. How can a sacrifice be alive?

The passage relates to the Old Testament concept of sacrifices and these sacrifices are all of animals. However, the saints in the Old Testament were not confused; they knew that the physical sacrifices were an outward symbol of an inward reality that they were to offer their spiritual lives to God.

In this passage, Paul tells us to offer ourselves? What does it mean? First of all, let us remember these verses were given to Christians. A non- Christian would find these 2 verses illogical, and they would not be able to offer themselves to God! So dear child, as we look into these 2 verses for 2 days, this is the first and most important point – that it means our soul is offered to God – that means we are saved.

Are you saved? Are you sure you are saved? Does your life show that you are changed? Is your temper better? Are you more helpful to others and more obedient to parents? You see dear child, it is pointless to say you are saved unless you see that you have changed!

Thought: May I be sure I am saved.

Prayer: Father in heaven, please help me to be sure I am saved. I remember that being saved is not just to say “I am saved”, but to know I have sinned against You and that I need Jesus to come into my life, and to see a change in my life away from sin and selfishness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.