“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service,” Romans 12:1.
Today, through the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wants to move us to live a life of service to God. To accomplish this, Paul does not speak of the Law, with a “You shall . . . ” or, “You shall not . . . ” Instead, he directs us to “the mercies of God,” the glorious Gospel of the Father’s love revealed in sending His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to fulfill where we fail and to assure us of His forgiveness.
Make this your desire: “Out of love for Him who first loved us, I will serve God as I go about my work this day. In everything that I say and do, I will present myself as a living sacrifice, which will please God.” We please God when we remember His mercies revealed through the fulfillment of His many promises with reference to sending the Savior. Go about your day remembering that God keeps His Word. He has done so in the past, He is doing so in the present, and He will do so in the future.
We pray: O merciful God, as I begin this day, I want to do what pleases You. I cannot please You without Your help. Give me the gift of Your Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct me each step of the way. Make me a witness to others with whom I come into contact. Make me willing to share my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus, who loved me and redeemed me through His suffering, death and resurrection. Then this day will be one of “reasonable service.” In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.