Motivation

Motive: something that causes a person to act. So, does Romans 12:1 connect to Luke 9:23? Paul wrote, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" and Luke recorded the Lord's command, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Is presenting my body as a living sacrifice the same as taking up my cross daily? If Romans 12:1-2 is skipped over, don't verses 3ff become impossible, at least from the heart? It is possible to learn proper behavior, which is why 12:9a is crucial: Let love be genuine.