From the Pastor’s Desk

Sunday, March 17, 2019

“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 the 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)

In light of the great plan of salvation outlined for us as Christians, Paul is saying that we need to respond appropriately and we do this through a living sacrifice.

Since Christians and Jews are the new people of God, the “New Israel,” then should we not offer sacrifices to God, however not as the Old Testament Jews did and not animal sacrifices at the temple. Rather we should offer our bodies (all that we are) as “living sacrifices” each day to God.

Paul is saying, such a sacrifice is an act of consecration in a form of religious service: physical, in that our bodies are presented in worship; rational, in that our reasoning is responsive to His truth; emotional, in that His “mercies” are perceived and awaken our sensitivities to His loving kindness; and spiritual, in that this is all the fruit of His Spirit’s reviving and renewing ours.

We are to present all that we are as a living sacrifice, holy to God. Letting our life be a daily expression of worship. We are not to live according to the ways of this world, but we are to permit the Word of God transform our minds. This is what it means to be a living sacrifice.