Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1 TLV “I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice – holy, acceptable to God – which is your spiritual service.”
In the OT the priest would go offer up worship in the tabernacle and also present the sacrifices of the people to God for their sins. This had to be done the right way.
One of the requirements was to wear white linen under their Ephods (priestly garments). They had to ensure that their linen never got soiled or it would cost them their life.
These linen garments represents our righteousness as believers today.
The benefits of linen fabric:
*Strength and durability
*Natural fiber with a lower impact on the environment
*Breathable and highly absorbent
*Natural insect repelling
*Luxurious
It’s important that we ensure that we do not sweat in it, resulting in soiled linen garments.
Whatever we do should be from a place of rest. If you are struggling with something today, I want you to know, God doesn’t want you to struggle. To struggle is an act of work and self righteousness. He wants you to rest in His righteousness.
If we stress we soil our garments, trying to do things or make things happen in our own strength, sometimes we encroach on the Holy Spirits role in our lives as opposed to resting and trusting in God. This expresses that Jesus’ work wasn’t enough.
When we worship and offer up ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord, with a surrendered heart, with humility we worship Him from a place of surrender and in faith. Which says we trust Him, allowing Him to do a work in our lives, situations, families, finances or whatever it is you need Him to do for you.
It’s with that sincerity and heart of purity that He receives us.
Note to self: To the flesh sacrifices of righteousness are unpleasant. The flesh cannot stand them.
They require that we: “ put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.” Romans 13:14
Prayer:
Lord we offer ourselves up to you as a living sacrifice, pleasing and acceptable in your sight.
Help me to function from a place of rest. I surrender anything in the form of self righteousness for that would be a work causing me to sweat and soil my linen garments of righteousness.
Let my works be of righteousness and of a sweet smelling fragrance to you, always.
Blessings
Ps Mandy Elliott