A Living Sacrifice

Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us for sacrifice. We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.  Elisabeth Elliot

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?  When I think of the word sacrifice my thoughts turn to the Old Testament.  The people of that time offered animal sacrifices for the atonement of sin.  How then does one become a living sacrifice?

When we become a living sacrifice we turn away from worldly things that can distract us from our heavenly Father.  If we are to be a living sacrifice we must not be conformed to the world.  It means just because the world says something is ok, we often must refuse the very thing the world offers.  This is not an easy thing to do.  How many times have you watched something on TV or watched a movie knowing that it is not beneficial to the renewing of your mind?  

When I think of Jesus’ time on earth His whole purpose was to be a living sacrifice.  He didn’t turn away from the sinners of the world.  He continuously turned to God for the renewing of His mind.  When He was tempted by Satan in the desert He fought back with scripture.  His final purpose was to be a dying sacrifice so that we might live. 

The scripture tells us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  What does it mean by “your reasonable service”?  When we fully understand what Jesus sacrifice means, it is not unreasonable to think that we would give our bodies as a living sacrifice in service to God during our time on earth for the extreme sacrifice He gave by sending His son to die on a cross for our sins. 

Spend time renewing your mind in God’s Word and you will be transformed. 

    

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I want to be a living sacrifice.  If I am too busy chasing after things of this world, I will not have time to focus on what is of great importance to You.  When I spend time in Your Word renewing my mind, I will be transformed. Help me to mediate on You when things of this world distract me.

Scripture: Living Sacrifices to God

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