#present themselves

Devotional for August 24

"A living sacrifice." - Romans 12:1

When a beast was set apart for sacrifice, it was considered sacred, and was carefully preserved from all injury. The Christian is devoted, he is intended for the altar, his body as well as his soul, and he is required to present it to God holy, acceptable, as a reasonable service. It is not to be defiled by fornication, by intoxication, by gluttony, by filth, by pride; he is to look upon it as the Lord's, bought with the blood of Jesus; consecrated as the temple of the Holy Ghost, set apart to be the habitation of a Holy God. The believer's body should not be united by marriage to an unbeliever; this is sacrilege, for the vessel is holy; it is rebellion, for it is plainly and positively forbidden; it is sinning wilfully, and provoking the eyes of divine holiness. It is offering insult to the God of love, and calling upon Him to vindicate His injured mercy. Believer, present thy body daily to God, washed in pure water that is, cleansed from defilement by observing His word; never call that common which God has consecrated, or debase that which He has devoted to Himself.