How does God regard the living

As our intelligent service of Divine worship.

Some passages are central to the ways and purposes of God. Romans 12:1,2 is one such passage.

No Israelite of the old covenant was required to serve God in such an intense manner. Of all the laws, statutes, and ordinances, none asked for the offering of the body of the believer as a living sacrifice, a thing devoted totally to the Lord for His glory.

The cheap, easy "gospel" message of today offers eternal residence in Paradise if we will but assent to the fact that Jesus is Lord and Savior—a truth understood only too well by Satan and the demons, who receive no eternal life as a result of their "belief." Once having made this profession, they say, we can never be in danger of the wrath of God. Therefore the Christian churches are in moral chaos.

The God of Israel has not given us a simple, easy plan whereby we may attain eternal residence in Paradise. He has moved from the demands of the Law to an inconceivably greater demand: "Offer your physical body to Me. This is your reasonable service of worship, the only sacrifice I will accept from you."