Scripture:
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. Romans 12:1 AMP
Throughout the Bible we learn of God's preference for 'clean' animals; a clean and worthy sacrifice, an animal without blemish. We learn how he refused Cain's sacrifice because it was unwholesome. We know how God sacrificed Christ because he was sinless and blameless; a lamb without blemish, pure and holy. God knowing our weakness for sin, made a way out for us through the sacrifice of Christ. In 1 John 1:9, we're provided with the window to come clean and be washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May we not be like Saul who even after he had been confronted, denied his faults and was rejected by God. He could have changed his confession and pleaded forgiveness. By lying he made God seem like a liar. May we not shame God by our actions or inactions or through our speech. We might not be offering a lamb without blemish or a lamb without defects, but we're offering ourselves to God, as our scripture says. May we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, clean and without spots of sin, bitterness or anger. May we come clean by confessing all our known faults so our sacrifices will be accepted by God. May we come clean as we present ourselves, our thanksgiving, praises and worship to God. May God accept us and our sacrifices of praise.
Let's pray: I confess that I am a sinner. Jesus Christ wash me with your blood and make me whole and acceptable before God the Father. Amen
