Personal Opportunity Costs

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. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 We all make decisions that would involve what we would call “opportunity costs”: when we say yes to something, we are saying no to countless other options. The question we instinctively answer each time is, “What gives me the most benefit?” In this passage, Paul asks his readers to reflect on all he has written in the first eleven chapters of Romans about the incredible mercy of God to rescue us from sin and give us purpose, peace, and hope. In response to God’s mercy, the only reasonable choice is to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to Him. Paul says this devotion takes the form of a “living sacrifice,” a choice we have to make each moment of every day. The opportunity cost may be high, but the return is of infinite value. Do we choose to follow a cause? Yes, but much more than that, we choose to follow a person, the one who loves us, forgives, us, and calls us His own. When we say yes to God each moment, we choose a lifestyle that reflects Christ’s values. Paul tells us not to be squeezed into the world’s mold of selfishness, but to let God transform us as our minds focus on God’s truth. The result of saying yes to God each moment is the incalculable value of knowing and following God’s perfect will for our lives. We join hands with Him to walk on the mountains and in the valleys of the adventure of life. What are some of the opportunity costs when a person says yes to Christ each moment? How is the world trying to squeeze you into its mold? What do you need to do to have your mind renewed by God’s truth? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com