ATTENDING WORSHIP SERVICES PLEASES GOD, BUT THERE’S MORE

SCRIPTURE:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, 
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing 
to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  
(Romans 12:1)

MEDITATION:
When Paul says, “in view of God’s mercy”, what does he mean?
We have to look at the absence of mercy to fully understand His mercy.
We tend to be a generation with an attitude of 
“I’ll get even with Him for that” and “I hope they get what they deserve”.
Many have developed a nature of harsh criticism 
and a desire to see others get what’s coming to them, and then some.

God, however, 
is merciful to even the worst offenders, sinners, and law-breakers. 
This means that even though He knows of our guilt, 
He doesn’t always issue the punishment we deserve. 
Simply stated, we are all sinners 
and do not meet the standards of righteousness that God intends us to have.
 
But, through His mercy and grace 
He provided a way for our sins to be forgiven 
through our acceptance of Christ Jesus (even though we don’t deserve it). 
Coupled with grace (being given God’s free gift of forgiveness 
though we’ve done nothing to deserve it), mercy is shown 
because He loves us and only asks that we accept His Son by faith.

As for us, we were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to 
live when we followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom 
of the air (the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient). 
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings 
of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. 
Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 
made us alive with Christ even when we were 
dead in our transgressions - it is by grace we are saved.

Paul’s point is that since we were dead and yet made alive again, 
we should feel indebted to the God of creation. 
Although we should be motivated by love and not obligation, 
we should have a desire to do the things that please the One Who gave us life.

When we do, 
it is an act of worship (adoration) as our spirit strives to please His spirit.
God showed His love for us 
and when we please Him, we show our love for Him.

ACTION:
Have you offered your body as a living sacrifice for God?
Are you worshipping Him 
by doing the things that are holy and pleasing to Him?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I could never thank You enough for giving me 
life and hope when I was dead in my transgressions. However, I 
can show my love and appreciation by sacrificing my desires worldly 
pleasures and offering my life as one that is holy and pleasing to You. 
Help me to separate myself from the things that prevent me from being 
holy and righteous. Convict me that when I justify anything I do (or 
don’t do) that are within Your standard, I may be appeasing myself 
and others, but not You. You gave everything for me; I pray that I 
will always live totally committed to You in love.”