Only the living

Only the living sacrifice is pleasing to God

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice , holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

The old monks used to hide away in deserts and mountains and in monastery cells, as far as possible from human sin and need — and thought that was the kind of service Christ wanted.

But they were only wasting away, in idle daydream, useless sacrifice, unavailing suffering, and hideous self-torture — the glorious gifts which God had bestowed upon them to be used in serving others.

Only the living sacrifice is pleasing to God .

We bring our natural endowments, our acquired powers or gains, our gifts and blessings, to His feet; and, touching them with His blessing, He gives them back to us and says, "Take these again and use them for Me in bearing joy, help, comfort, cheer, or inspiration to those about you and in life's paths who need your ministries."

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