Lenten Devotional April 3, 2022

Scripture

Romans 12:1-21

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Devotional

Dave Keys, Database and Website Administrator

Paul is defining and describing a picture-perfect Christian life. He begins by telling us to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. If we offer ourselves in spiritual worship to God, God will transform and renew us. Paul then tells us to use sound judgment, which is dependent on the faith and grace that has been given to us through our transformation. We all have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. No one gift is more important than another gift. We are all members of one body, and we should use our gifts for the building up and the edifying of the body of Christ. Be devoted to one another in brotherly and sisterly love, giving preference to one another with honor. And finally, we are told to be at peace with all humankind. Even our enemies. Because good will always overcome evil, we must strive to be good and follow these standards in our Christians lives.

We should not be discouraged by the reality that we will never live up to these standards. The key is to use the talent and grace that God has given to each of us to always strive toward the principles that Paul has laid out. For it is through our struggle and humility that we are continually being sanctified, made holy. Therefore, our worship is truly a living and holy sacrifice.

Prayer

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in endless praise. Take my life, Lord, and I will pour it out as a living sacrifice to you. For you alone are worthy of my eternal love and praise. Amen.