The Upward Look
© Copyright 2010, Max D. Hutto,

“You yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
   1 Peter 2:5 HCSB ©

Peter describes all believers as priests. In this priestly role they are to relate God to man and man to God. They intercede for man with God and proclaim God’s truth to man. Thus, they serve to bridge the gap between man and God. As a priest they also offer sacrifices to God. While Jesus is the complete sacrifice for our sins, every believer is to make spiritual sacrifices to God. These living sacrifices include worship of God and a holy life. This worship is filled with praise and thanksgiving offered to God. This holy life is filled with love for God and others that thus lives out obedience to His commands.

Lord Jesus, I desire that my life be an acceptable sacrifice that brings praise and honor to You. I give to You a living sacrifice of my life in faithful and obedient service.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)