Rethinking Our Presentation to God by: Rev. John Baker

 

Scripture: Roman 12:1

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

Rethinking Our Presentation to God

Rev. John Baker

I often ask myself the question: what is the purpose of this or that? The Lenten season is a period of preparation leading up to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. We tend to make sacrifices in our behavior (i.e. eating and Christian commitment). With that thought in mind, my spirit responded with when we are presenting to God, it is a two-fold process.

 

The body in presenting it to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body. And in your spirit, which are God’s." That simply means that we have a responsibility to God to take care of His body. I have been guilty along with others of saying this is my body and I can do as I please. I hasten to tell you it is not so. Psalm 24:1 reminds us that "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof. The world and they that dwell therein." But this ought not just be for the Lenten season. I’m reminded by the Hebrew boys' decision that it should be a way of life.

Read the story

Daniel 1:3-19 3 And the king space unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.14 So he consented to them in this matter and proved them ten days.15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

 

That is the physical perspective. Now when it comes to behavior there are attributes of God that we should practice. Namely the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against these, there is no law (Gal 5:22-23) 

 

My thought is if you set new goals, there must be new thoughts and actions. So, live a life that is well-pleasing to God not just during the Lenten season. Remember the instructions in Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.