“Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.” Romans 12:1 (TPT)
Living a sacrificial life, that is fully surrendered to Jesus Christ is genuine worship. What does a sacrificial life look like? Below are just some things that come to mind that are found flowing in those who genuinely love Jesus.
- Prayer
- Study the Word
- Willingly obedient to the Word
- Faithfully assemble with the saints
- Generous giving
- Selfless
- Merciful
- Gentle
- Courageous
- Honorable
How does any of the above begin and continue to be formed in a person? When Jesus is the center of their life, when He is first and foremost. Just like we see here.
“After these things I will return to you and raise up the tabernacle of David that has fallen into ruin. I will restore and rebuild what David experienced” (Acts 15:16)
David’s tent had no rooms, no veils, just the Ark placed in the center and the worshippers surrounded it day and night (Psalm 1)! The is a picture of Jesus (Ark), within you (tent), and your life (worshipper) surrendered to, and centered upon Him 24/7!
Something similar is found in Revelation, which says, “And in front of the throne there was pavement like a crystal sea of glass. Around the throne and on each side stood four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. The first living creature resembled a lion, the second an ox, the third had a human face, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of the four living creatures had six wings, full of eyes all around and under their wings. They worshiped without ceasing, day and night, singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty! The Was, the Is, and the Coming!” (Revelation 4:6-8)
These living creatures circle the throne day and night, and as they do they reflect Who they are looking at. The Lion, Ox, Man, and Eagle are all revelations of Jesus and because He was all they looked at they began to reflect His glory!
Now remember from yesterday genuine salvation produces something within a person, that works its way externally!
“But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever He is Lord, there is freedom. We can all draw close to Him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into His very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)