March 26, 2014
What’s a reasonable price? That’s a fair question to ask any time we shop - whether for groceries, a car, a house, or shoes. Merchants have a right to make a profit, but not an exorbitant one. There is a reasonable profit for the seller, and a reasonable price for the buyer.
"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 NKJV)
It is a fair (reasonable) price for the follower of Christ to offer himself/herself in total dedication. Not for an hour on Sunday. Not for a few minutes in Bible study and prayer each day. Not even for an extended missionary or service venture. Complete, total surrender and dedication every moment of every day. An outrageous demand and price? Not in light of “the mercies of God”. The price already paid is far greater than the reasonable price expected.
I realize by nature that I can easily be … um, stingy (there; I said it). I was raised to be frugal and conservative with resources, and may have overdone it. Thankfully, I’ve learned to be more generous through gratitude. I’ve been greatly blessed through generous benevolence more times than I can count. Generosity stirs generosity. The desire to “pay it forward” springs from unmerited blessings.
I have a Savior who lived a life of service and sacrifice as He walked the earth. Never has there been One who lived in total dedication as He has. The will and desires of His Father were followed without reserve, and serve as the benchmark and example of dedication for us. Whole-life dedication is not unreasonable in light of His precedent. Resisting the “big squeeze” the world system brings to bear upon us through a radically transformed mindset is well within the realm of “reasonable”.
“Saved to serve” seems like a fitting motto. Emblazon it on your car bumper. Print it on your bathroom mirror, or refrigerator. Wholeheartedly serve your gracious God, and His matchless Son. Their purposes are worthy of being ours - twenty-four seven, one hundred percent. This new mentality becomes lifestyle as validating proof of God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.
Our all, mentally and physically, is reasonable. May gratitude for grace be the springboard for our reasonable sacrifice and service - today and always.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
"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 NKJV)
It is a fair (reasonable) price for the follower of Christ to offer himself/herself in total dedication. Not for an hour on Sunday. Not for a few minutes in Bible study and prayer each day. Not even for an extended missionary or service venture. Complete, total surrender and dedication every moment of every day. An outrageous demand and price? Not in light of “the mercies of God”. The price already paid is far greater than the reasonable price expected.
I realize by nature that I can easily be … um, stingy (there; I said it). I was raised to be frugal and conservative with resources, and may have overdone it. Thankfully, I’ve learned to be more generous through gratitude. I’ve been greatly blessed through generous benevolence more times than I can count. Generosity stirs generosity. The desire to “pay it forward” springs from unmerited blessings.
I have a Savior who lived a life of service and sacrifice as He walked the earth. Never has there been One who lived in total dedication as He has. The will and desires of His Father were followed without reserve, and serve as the benchmark and example of dedication for us. Whole-life dedication is not unreasonable in light of His precedent. Resisting the “big squeeze” the world system brings to bear upon us through a radically transformed mindset is well within the realm of “reasonable”.
“Saved to serve” seems like a fitting motto. Emblazon it on your car bumper. Print it on your bathroom mirror, or refrigerator. Wholeheartedly serve your gracious God, and His matchless Son. Their purposes are worthy of being ours - twenty-four seven, one hundred percent. This new mentality becomes lifestyle as validating proof of God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.
Our all, mentally and physically, is reasonable. May gratitude for grace be the springboard for our reasonable sacrifice and service - today and always.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:31 AM
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