A Living Sacrifice

When you hear the word sacrifice your mind automatically goes back to the Old Testament picture of someone like Issac sacrificing a lamb offering or maybe it reminds you of the thought of giving something up willingly without an expectation of a return.

The bible clearly states in Romans 12:1-2 that we are to offer our bodies as "living sacrifices":
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritualact of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "

But what does this really mean? First you must understand that God's expectations of sacrifice are reasonable and plausible but not only that, that these sacrifices bring glory and honor due His name. Well lets examine some basic principles first...

1. What is a sacrifice? A sacrifice by definition is basically a "no strings attached" offering

2. A sacrifice is altered... meaning that it is changed, for example in offering a goat, it was consummed with fire...or in offering your life as a sacrifice you will be transformed

3. A sacrifice has to be the best! Leviticus teaches us that it had to be without blemish and we learned from Cain's example in Genesis that God expects our firstfruits...the best!

4. A sacrifice has to be given willingly. We must be willing to give our lives as sacrifices to the Lord despite what the cost might be.

Now that we have that covered, what does it mean when Paul says, "this is your spiritual act of worship"?? Well, Hebrews 13:15, tells us to always offer praise, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." Does that mean that your worship is sacrifice?? Absolutely...genuine God glorifying worship is. Also we are to serve "Your gifts to me are a sweet smelling sacrifice that pleases God well. " (Philippians 4:18).

"Sacrifice is always costly and painful. God didn't send me here this morning to beg you to give Him a teeny weeny little sacrifice if you feel like it. I am here to declare unto you that God's minimum expectation is that you willingly give of yourself to Him as a living sacrifice. Don't insult Him with anything less. "
-Eugene Harder

Now the tough part to deal with, we can't conform to this world. This idea of "fitting in" has to go! We aren't here to please man or ourselves...we are here to please the Living God. You have to see what pleases the Lord in his Word and do that no matter what the cost to your reputation or name. Ephesians 5:10 says, "find out what pleases the Lord".

And the exciting part of being a living sacrifice comes in the transformation of our minds! Proverbs 1:7 says, "How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! " God will begin to change you, to sanctify you more and more into His image...and what is the most exciting of it all? YOU WILL BE PLEASING YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN! May He give you all the strength to be a sacrifice to Him this week and forevermore.





(Adapted from New Hope Studies)