October 14, 2025 - Romans 12

Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (12:1).  We are to live lives of holiness.  We are new creatures with a new and holy Lord. Our problem is that, even as children of God, our lives do not always reflect this reality.  That’s why it’s such good news that this entreaty is set on the foundation already laid out in the letter, i.e., though we are to live holy lives, we do not always do so; nevertheless, “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1)!  Kind of a must-be-holy-but-we’re-not-holy-but-we-have-the-righteousness-of-another-which-means-no-one-can-make-any-successful-charge-against-us thing.

Take my life and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in endless praise,

let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands . . .

Take my voice . . .

Take my silver and my gold . . .

Take my will . . .

Take my love; my Lord, I pour

at thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee,

ever, only, all for thee.   -- Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)