Romans 6:13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

I had a real problem typing this verse out in Japanese, because Microsoft never would give me the right character for “offer,” and I had to enter a different reading for the character I needed (the one used for putting money in the plate). The world does not understand offering our bodies to God! Actually, there’s a great deal the world doesn’t understand about the life of faith, of walking in fellowship with our Creator. This 6^th chapter of Romans is an important one for new Christians particularly, but also for every Christian to really work into their understanding. Jesus wasn’t kidding when He said we are “in the world but not of it.” (John 17:11, 14) That’s why Paul had to famously say, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (Romans 12:2) The world can have a very strong “gravitational pull,” and we need to be aware of it so that we can stand against it. The world thinks that Christianity is restrictive, that it “won’t let us do what we want,” when in fact, Christ frees us so that we don’t have to sin any more. Thinking we’ve “arrived” in that area is very dangerous, as John wrote extensively in his first letter. Paul himself testified that he wasn’t there yet, when he wrote to the Philippians. (Philippians 3:12) We need to have the consistent awareness that we are no longer slaves to sin, but are rather resurrected free people, as Paul says here.

I’ve had my own struggles with this, swallowing the devil’s line that “everybody’s doing it.” I don’t have to be everybody, because I’m a redeemed child of God! This is something we all need to remember more consistently. As a pastor, I don’t have to remind people that I’m a sinner too, but I must not come across as “holier than thou.” Rather, I am to come alongside them and encourage them that they too can walk as resurrected children of God. That’s something really worth applying myself to!

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for all You brought me through yesterday. It was my first experience of spinal anesthesia, and I was interested to discover it didn’t work perfectly. At the same time, it wasn’t unbearable, and at this point my right kidney is much happier than it has been for the past several days. Thank You for this hospital, and the friendly, helpful staff. Thank You for the opportunity to minister to some of them. I pray particularly for that one OR nurse, who was on duty for my hernia surgery and remembered me. I pray that my every interaction would indeed draw people to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!