Your Battle With Your Body – Part Two

Romans 12: 1 & 2 

The exhortation to make a presentation of your body to God is one that speaks of a definite action.  There needs to be a time when you make a definitive decision as to what you will and won’t do with your body.

This presentation is to be “holy”.  This requires renouncing sins of the old life and committing to a life of obedience.  Will you?

This presentation is to be a “living” one.  In the sacrificial system the whole burnt offering ascended to God and was not reclaimable.

This presentation is to be for “service.”

Though there is to be a definite time of decision regarding making a presentation of your body to God, it needs to be renewed daily.  This is done by daily “transforming your mind.”

“…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Imagine your body in light of the following. The Greek word for glorify is “doxazo.” It means to radiate the presence of and demonstrate the ownership of God in your body. Not all bodies look like a model in a glamor shot. That is not what it means. It is a reference to looking your best modestly, to have a positive attitude, a joyous spirit, a thankful outlook, a winsome countenance, to speak encouragingly, and overall a Godly nature. Thus, you can radiate and demonstrate. Go show it.

In the Old Testament era, worship centered around the altar and involved the presentation of sacrifices to God.  With the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God on Calvary, this system ended.  Because the day of animal sacrifice ended, many think sacrifices to God are unnecessary.  That is wrong.  He now deserves and desires a “living sacrifice.”  He wants and deserves a walking, breathing, laughing, and loving sacrifice.

What does a living sacrifice look like?

First, it is nonconformist.  This doesn’t simply relate to avoiding external fads; it deals principally with a deeper life of purity, cleanliness, and holiness.

Second, a living sacrifice is “transformed.” The prefix “trans” means “across” or “beyond.”  To be transformed means to rise above the forms of the world.  This is transcending excellence.

This speaks of a mind-set on God.  A preoccupation with His will.  A mental commitment to use your body for Him.  This is the only way to win the battle with your body.