Heart Surgery

A few weeks ago, DJ and Ethan led our seniors in a good ole’ fashioned Hymn Sing!

It was so much fun to sing the songs I learned as a child. The tears flowed as we sang some of those old songs and memories of the past flooded my mind.

One of the songs we used to sing is “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” It closes, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

My soul, my life, my all - every part of my being to Jesus! Everything! What does that look like? Paul writes a letter to the church at Rome, made up mostly of Greeks, but also some Jews. The book of Romans is written to provide the plan of salvation and to address the Jews’ and Greeks' theological and practical differences. Paul says in Romans 12:1:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.

- Romans 12:1

Let’s look at this verse a little more closely. The first word is “therefore,” and whenever we see this, we need to see what it means in context. What is it “there for?'' Let’s look back at the previous verses to understand. Romans 11:33-36:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things! To him be the glory forever!

- Romans 11:33-23

Looking back at Romans 12:1, it now is easier to understand. Who do we worship? Based on Romans 11, it’s God!

How do we worship? By offering our bodies as a living sacrifice. Now, before you panic, this is a “living” sacrifice. Just get the thought of Abraham putting Isaac on the altar out of your mind! What God does want from us is to surrender everything to Him. Imagine climbing up on the operating table and allowing Him to use His scalpel to shape and form you.

Why do we worship? Because of God’s great mercy by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We deserve death because of our sin, but instead, Jesus gave us life!

Worship isn’t just songs or words. WORSHIP is how we LIVE and LOVE in everything we do! Is there something in your life that needs God’s loving chisel to chip away at in order to fully worship? Are you following Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 5:21-6:4 in your marriage or with family? Is there addiction, unforgiveness or anger? Is there a conversation you need to have with someone?

Let’s continue to crawl upon God’s operating table and allow Him to chisel our hearts to look more like His!

Pastor Pam

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