Living in Holiness as an Offering to God

We have spent the past several weeks reflecting on the holiness of God and His call to repentance.

We have seen how God’s holiness makes us aware of the condition of our hearts. We have learned that a broken and contrite heart is not rejected by God. We have also reflected on God’s call to return to Him with all our hearts and, like Isaiah, be ready to say:

“Here am I. Send me!”

However, the next question is:

What happens after we repent?

Repentance is not the end point.

Forgiveness is not an excuse for us to return to our old ways of living.

Instead, repentance leads us into a new life, a life that is increasingly surrendered to God and increasingly reflects His holiness.

That is why Paul says:

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

God does not want only a part of our lives. He wants our whole lives to belong to Him.

1. Holiness Is a Response to God’s Grace

Paul begins Romans 12:1 with the words: “Therefore…”

This is important. A holy life is not how we buy salvation from God. We do not become holy so that God will love us.

Rather, because God has already loved, forgiven, and saved us, we give our lives to Him. Holiness is a response to God’s grace.

When we truly understand God’s mercy, we no longer want to live according to our own desires. We begin to ask:

“Lord, what pleases Your heart?”

We become more careful about the way we speak. We become more careful about what we think. We become more careful about what we look at. We become more careful about the relationships we build. We become more careful about the decisions we make.

Not because we are afraid of people. But because we love God.

Holiness is not simply about avoiding what is wrong. Holiness also means choosing to live for God.

2. Living in Holiness Means Surrendering Our Whole Selves to God

Paul uses the words: “Offer your bodies…”

This means that our very lives become an offering to God.

Not only our time in church. Not only when we pray. Not only when we serve.

But our entire lives. Our bodies. Our minds. Our hearts. Our time. Our work. Our families. Our finances. Our relationships. Our ministry. Our dreams. Our future. Everything is surrendered to God.

We often say: “Lord, use me.”

But before God uses us, we need to say: “Lord, I belong to You.”

There is a difference between the two.

When we say, “Use me,” we may still want to determine how God should use us.

But when we say, “I belong to You,” we surrender the right to determine the direction of our lives to God.

This is true surrender.

3. Do Not Let the World Shape Your Life

Romans 12:2 says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

The world is constantly trying to shape us. The world says: “Just follow what everyone else is doing.”

But the Word of God says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.”

The world may consider sin to be normal. But God’s people are called to live differently.

The world may say: “What matters is that I am happy.”

The Word of God teaches: “What matters is that I live according to God’s will.”

The world pursues popularity. We pursue faithfulness.

The world pursues wealth. We pursue the Kingdom of God.

The world pursues human recognition. We seek God’s approval.

This is the challenge of holiness. We live in the midst of the world, but we do not allow the world to determine who we are.

4. Repentance Must Continue in Our Daily Lives

Repentance is not something we do only once. As believers, we need to continually allow the Holy Spirit to search our lives.

Every day, we need to be ready to say: “Lord, if there is anything in me that does not please You, show me.”

There may be things God asks us to leave today that we did not realize yesterday. There are attitudes that need to be corrected. Words that need to be guarded. Relationships that need to be restored. Sins that need to be abandoned. Forgiveness that needs to be given. Habits that need to be stopped.

A holy life is a journey.

We may not yet be perfect, but we must not stop growing. What matters is that our hearts remain willing to be shaped by God.

Falling is not a reason to remain on the ground. When we fall, we get back up. When we fail, we return to God. When we sin, we confess and repent. When we are weak, we depend on His grace.

5. Our Holiness Must Become a Witness to the World

Holiness is not only for our own benefit. A transformed life can become a testimony to others.

When a husband changes, his family sees it.

When a mother changes, her children see it.

When a leader lives with integrity, those he leads see it.

When the church lives in holiness and love, society will see the difference.

That is why revival is not only about what happens inside the church.

Revival must produce transformed lives outside the church. Borneo needs believers who are not only good at talking about God, but who live as witnesses of Christ.

Borneo needs:

• leaders who fear God, • families that build prayer altars,

• families that build prayer altars,

• young people who dare to live holy lives,

• churches that love the Word of God,

• believers who live with integrity,

• and Christians who dare to be a light in the midst of society.

True spiritual revival will produce transformed lives.

6. Revival Begins with an “Altar” in Our Hearts

As we look at the Revive Borneo Prayer Movement, we need to remember one thing:

We cannot ask for the fire of revival if we are not willing to place our lives on God’s altar.

Revival prayer is not simply: “Lord, change Borneo.”

It is also: “Lord, change me.”

Not only: “Purify Your church.”

But: “Purify my heart.”

Not only: “Raise up the younger generation.”

But: “Raise me up to be an example.”

Not only: “Use Borneo for Your glory.”

But: “Use my life for Your glory.”

When every heart is willing to become a living sacrifice, God can do things far greater than we could ever imagine.

7. True Revival Must Continue Beyond This Month

Today is the final devotional in our August series on the Holiness of God and Repentance. But the call to holiness does not end on August 31.

We do not want our lives to return to the way they were after this theme ends. We want to carry what God has taught us into the months ahead.

Repentance must become a lifestyle. Prayer must become a lifestyle. Holiness must become a lifestyle. Seeking the face of God must become a lifestyle. Being a witness for Christ must become a lifestyle.

May the Revive Borneo Prayer Movement continue to move forward not only through programs, but through God’s people whose lives are truly transformed.

Let us be a generation that says: “Lord, my life belongs to You.”

And when God asks: “Whom shall I send?”

May our answer remain: “Here am I. Send me!”

< PERSONAL REFLECTION >

Spend time in God’s presence and ask:

1. Have I truly surrendered every area of my life to God?

2. What areas of my life am I still trying to control myself?

3. Are there worldly influences shaping my thoughts and decisions?

4. What is one thing God wants me to leave behind so that I can live a holier life?

5. How can my life become a witness for Christ to my family, church, and community in Borneo?

Dan akhirnya, tanyakan: “Tuhan, apakah yang Engkau mahu lakukan melalui hidup saya?”

Kemudian diamlah di hadapan Tuhan. Dengarlah. Serahkanlah. Taatilah.

< SHARE AND DISCUSS >

1. What does “offering your body as a living sacrifice” mean in your life?

2. What worldly influence most easily shapes our thoughts or lives today?

3. What is one thing God is asking you to surrender to Him?

4. How can a believer’s holy life become a witness to their family and community?

5. After this month of August, what is one spiritual commitment you want to continue in your life?

Share this devotional with your family and friends so that more of God’s people in Borneo will be encouraged to continue living in holiness, walking in repentance, surrendering their lives to God, and becoming witnesses for Christ wherever they are.

"Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." - Leviticus 19:2