Get on the Altar

“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

No one is forcing you up on the altar. That’s the problem with the Christian faith. It’s a choice. You were invited to receive the sacrifice of Christ for your sins. You were not told that your sins were covered in His blood.

Another problem. A living sacrifice is wiggly. It squirms. It climbs off the altar. In spite of being a good Presbyterian (I do believe in the security of salvation in Christ), I believe the walk of sanctification requires our cooperation. The Spirit doesn’t work against our disobedience. We still are responsible for our choices, even whent indwelt with God’s Spirit. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

My new phrase to my self is, “Get on the altar.” I derail at least a couple times each day. If it’s not impatience that’s knocking me off that altar of worship, it’s anger, or control, or plain old selfishness. The older I get, the more I realize the depth of my selfish attitudes. A life of worship lived on the altar is not compatible with the lusts of this world.

What is derailing you today?

Get back on the altar.