How to Stay on the Altar
As we approach the Holy week my mind has started swirling around the sacrifice of Jesus. I am in awe of vastness of God’s love. And then I think if God loved us so immensely … how should we respond to him? We can’t save ourselves but we can’t help but love God in return. How could we love God more and more?
So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service.(Romans 12: 1, CEB)
Richard Foster says that the problem with being a living sacrifice is that we constantly want to get off the altar. It’s not that we aren’t willing to surrender to God but that we always want to leave the altar. We love God but we are not constant in our love. On a whim we pursue our own desires and leave the altar. How could we live our lives as living sacrifices without always leaving or wishing we could leave the altar?
Let’s continue to read: Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. (Romans 12: 2, CEB)
Exactly.
We need to seek ways to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
We need to create space for Christ to come.
We need to practice the patterns of God.
The more we eat the Word of God, the more transformed we become.
The more we live out our faith, the more integral it becomes.
The more we receive grace, the more our love for God grows.
The more we surrender, the sweeter our sacrifice becomes.
The more we abide in Christ, the more we want to stay on the altar.
Gracious God,
We love you and praise you.
Thank you for sacrificing your only Son for our sake.
Thank you for creating a way back to you.
Show us how to love you more and more!
Show us how to stay on the altar.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen
Q4U: How could you create space in your life for Christ to come?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you seek ways to be transformed by the Holy Spirit!
Giving thanks today for
#231 Christ’s sacrifice for our sake.
#232 amazing love of God!
#233 God wants for us what’s best for us.
#234 God’s bid to come & die for ourselves is an invitation to really live.
#235 sacrificing ourselves for Christ ends up being sweet not sour.
#236 God’s constant presence in our lives.
#237 God loved us first!
#238 God’s work in/through/for us.
#239 God’s constant love for us.
#240 joy of abiding in Christ.
Image courtesy of Casey Johnson. Linking up today with
8 thoughts on “How to Stay on the Altar”
Well said. Matthew 22:37-40
Thank you, Susan! Let us indeed love God with our everything! And each others as ourselves! Abundant blessings to you, sis!
Creating space and time isn’t always easy- I have found that if I don’t put God at the top of my list He quickly falls to the bottom. Having a life centered on Christ takes awareness and continual effort.
Jesus said to Watch and pray because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak- he knows us so well.
Yeah, it’s not easy. But so essential! Thankfully Jesus leads the way. Be blessed as you follow Him!
Thanks by the way for the wonderful gift!
You’re welcome, TC!