Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

Romans 6:13

The original language of Romans 6:13 is structured in a way that makes a powerful point, though this is sometimes lost in translation. It could be laid out in this way:

Do not present

the members of your body to sin, as instruments of unrighteousness,

But present

yourselves to God as living beings who are no longer dead

and the members of your body to God, as instruments of righteousness.

Now you can see the contrast more clearly. As Christians, we have the opportunity to present our bodies either to sin or to God. Through the freedom we have in Christ, we can choose to present our whole selves to God, so that we might live for him and his purposes. This happens when we first offer ourselves to God, enjoying the fact that we are no longer dead in our sins, but alive in Christ.

We live life to the fullest when we offer to God all that we are each day. We are privileged to be able to serve him in each and every thought and action. Whether at work or home, we can offer our whole selves to God, living for his glory.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you ever think in these terms? In what ways do you offer yourself to God? How do you offer your body to God? How might you live differently if you took this verse to heart?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, truly it is an honor even to be able to think of offering myself to you. Thank you for this opportunity, given to me in Christ.

By your grace and through the indwelling power of your Spirit, help me to offer my whole self to you, right down to the members of my body. May I serve you with all that I am each day. Help me, Lord, to discover what this means, especially in settings where I’m not apt to think of serving you. It’s easy to think of giving myself to you when I’m praying or preaching. But when I’m shopping, or moving the lawn, or hanging out with my friends . . . this is a different story.

Today, dear Lord, I present myself to you as one who has been delivered from death into life. I give you every part of me. May I serve you in all that I do with all that I am. I pray in the name of Jesus, who has set me free. Amen.