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.
Romans 12:1 NKJV
When trouble visits for an extended time, we often evaluate our lives. We pray more when we receive an unwanted diagnosis. We spend extra time in the Word when we feel broken. Financial storms arise, and we give more.
Let’s unpack our focal verse. Paul has written eleven chapters concerning doctrine, and now he wants to get down to where we live. He begins by saying: I beg you brothers and sisters, because of everything I have told you, make yourself a living sacrifice. Not because you have to but because you get to.
God has given us grace and called us saints. His goodness has led us to repentance. He has redeemed us through Jesus Christ. And Christ was raised for our justification, our sanctification, and our glorification. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God gave us the gift of eternal life. He has delivered us from this body of death that we call flesh. He has removed all condemnation to those who walk in the Spirit. He is the potter who has power over the clay. He is rich to all who call on His name, and He doesn’t cast His people away.
Because of all that plus so much more, we should present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. So, what is a living sacrifice? If we look at the burnt offering in Leviticus chapter one, we will learn some things about sacrifices. They were voluntary. How much do we sacrifice above and beyond our tithes? What about our time? No matter which animal was sacrificed, it had to be perfect. Only the best was acceptable. Not a spot. Not a blemish. Do we give God our best? The best of our abilities and talent?
Is the life I live a true testimony to the glory of God? Do I allow God to burn off the impurities to make me acceptable?
When Israel strayed from God’s requirements for the best, they brought blind and lame animals. A dishonor and a disgrace. He wasn’t just displeased, but He called it evil (Mal. 1:6-14).
The burnt offerings were a form of worship unto the Lord. Worship is our reasonable service. Do we worship the Lord at home or has it become a Sunday only ritual?
As I studied these passages, I discovered some great self-examination questions, as you have seen. Because of all God has done, is doing and will do for us, we desire to present ourselves as living sacrifices.
Despite our shortcomings, God richly blesses us, but could we be forfeiting our blessings for a lack of devotion to God? Are our prayers going unanswered because we fall short of what is acceptable to our Father?
Whether you are navigating a season of trouble or a season of triumph, now is a good time for a check-up on your spiritual live.
Lord God, help us live sacrificially before You. Burn away everything impure to make me holy and blameless before You. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Leviticus 1
search=lev.+1&version=NKJVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lev.+1&version=NKJV
And Malachi 1:6-14HIKING THE TRAIL
Usually, we think of money and time as sacrifices today. How can you give more of each as a permanent change?
Originally posted on January 20, 2020 @ 3:00 am