May 26 – Reasonable Service

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“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. And do not be conformed to this world — but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

The presenting of our bodies a living sacrifice unto God, when attended with serious prayer and reading the Scriptures, is the best means of knowing the will of God. To neglect this and use other means is tempting God and exposing ourselves to the temptations and siftings of the wicked one.

We may think ourselves to be divinely convinced by faith of the will of God, though we follow our own imaginations and spoil the best of our actions. Self-will generally takes quick resolutions and has a great deal of assurance. Whereas God very often leads His people by a way which they know not and takes methods quite different from those which they would have adopted.

“Whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isaiah 28:16).

Let everyone be careful that he does not mistake self-will and plausible representations for Divine convictions and assurances of faith. Instead, strictly examine himself first, whether his body, soul, will, and affections, are entirely offered up to the good-will and pleasure of God, for God requires the service of the whole man, even a sacrificing of our whole selves to Him at all times, not only at church — but in all other places.

My God and Father, conform me to Your will. Fill me with Your own love, and make me a correct representation of Your own Son!

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)