In today’s reading, I think about different times and ways that we might present ourselves. We certainly present ourselves in the best light when we like someone and start dating, or when we’re going to a dance or maybe a Quinceañera.
There are a lot of situations and occasions in which we want to present ourselves in the best way possible and put our best foot forward. To let people see what’s best about us, not what’s worst.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
Romans 6:13
But in our reading today, we’re told not to, “present [our] members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present [ourselves] to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and [our] members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13).
This got me thinking what it means to present ourselves and our members to sin or to God. When we do this we are offering ourselves up; we are giving ourselves over to; we are subjecting ourselves to.
We can either do that to evil and to sin, or to God and His righteousness, and His will. We can do it for good or bad; godliness and righteousness or ungodliness and evil.
It is a fascinating thing to think about the first time that we are presented: when we’re born. Dirty. Wet. Crying. Naked. Not our best view or best light!
And that’s what happens when we are presented in sin: we are dirty; we are unclean; we are selfish in the way that we act. We cry; we are separate; we are alone; we are cold; we are sinful. All of those things are true when we are in sin.
And yet. When we are presented to God through faith in Jesus, we are beautiful.
We were once slaves to impurity and lawlessness. We were once slaves to sin. We were once slaves to the devil. We were once slaves to our own passions. We presented ourselves to these things; we humbled ourselves and gave ourselves over to them.
How awful! How ugly! How horrifying!
But when Christ came He humbled Himself and presented Himself as a living sacrifice on our behalf, to forgive our sins, to make us right, to cleanse us before God. When He did those things, He presented us then, too – as perfect, as righteous, as just. And now as ones who can now also present all of our own members, all of our thoughts, all of our mind, all of our actions to God; in the same way; out of gratitude; out of thanksgiving; out of sincere, deep love. We can present ourselves and our members as a living sacrifice to God saying ‘we are Yours; we want to do what You desire; we want to be in You and Your grace. We want to live as You specify in Your word. We want these things. We present ourselves to You; to Your purpose; to Your will; to You in whatever way You see fit. We no longer want to present ourselves or be presented in any way that doesn’t bring You honor and glory and majesty; that doesn’t lift up others and point them also to You. We don’t want to do anything or be anyone that doesn’t present every fiber of our being to Your will and ways; to Your righteousness.’
Yes, there is still sin that still infects us and holds something over us, but let it be anathema! Let it be forever removed! Let it be forever shunned! For we are Yours, Lord; fully; in every way. That is our deep desire. That is our deep privilege.
Because of Jesus, who was presented for us and for our salvation and for our eternity.
Thank You, Lord! Thank You!
“Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You that Jesus was presented through His sacrifice on our behalf to make us wholly righteous and just so that we, too, can be presented to You as perfect. Grant that we live this way. That all of our thoughts, words, and deeds – that every member of our body – is presented to You in righteousness. In Jesus most precious name, do we pray. Amen.”
Scripture
- Romans 6:12-23
- Psalm 91:1-16 (Responsory)
