"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."
In order to worship during the Old Testament, it was mandated that you bring an appropriate animal for a particular sacrifice. It was an offering to the Lord, a gift, to show your love and devotion to Him. In the New Testament, our offering, our worship, is the way we live our lives.
"Dead Man Walking" is the term given to a prisoner who is walking from his cell to the execution chamber. The guards sound it out the entire walk as they escort the prisoner. All the other prisoners know what is going to happen. It is a very sombre ritual.
But in the Christian life, "dead man walking" is a positive, uplifting, exciting term for the person walking with Christ. The Christian has "died to self" and is now walking in step with Jesus Christ. The old man, the old nature, the ways of the world, has been "executed" and now the new person, filled with the Holy Spirit, is alive and walking the spiritual life God has intended. The spiritual "dead man walking" will not reach his final destination until his physical body dies. But instead of an execution, he will begin an eternal life with Christ.
Our act of worship while on earth, therefore, is to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God. Not partaking of the things that would bring offense to the Lord. The answer to this simple question - "Would Jesus like this?" - will determine if what is being planned, thought, word, or deed, is holy and acceptable to God. How we answer that question determnes the type of offering we are lifting up. Are we a Cain, only giving a cut-rate offering, or an Able, giving the very best that we have?
Being a spiritual "dead man walking" is no easy task. But one of the most precious promises of the Bible is this: "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me sttrength." (phil 4:13). All we have to do is call on the Lord, ask for HIS strength and power to be an overcomer, and it will be given. Instantly. God said so!
Are you a "dead man walking"?
Lord God, I so want my life to be a spiritual act of worship. I want to honor you with everything I think, say, and do, but I am so weak. Fill me with your power and strength, that I may be an overcomer, a dead man walking. I want my life to be holy and pleasing to you. I claim the promise that I can do all things because you have given me your strength. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
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