Living Sacrifices

As those who have trusted in Jesus we are each called to be ‘living sacrifices.’ This is an incredibly comprehensive descriptive phrase. Even Paul’s use elsewhere in his writings of the concept of ‘bond servant, which is probably the closest descriptive phrase to this one, cannot capture the depth of the surrender, commitment, dependence, and trust the believer is to have in Jesus which is communicated in his calling us ‘living sacrifices.’

But such an outlook on life is very radical to how we typically view our lives. For 21st century Americans who are fed daily the milk of independence this concept seems overly obtrusive and fanatical to us. No wonder Paul commands us to ‘renew our minds’ so that we might switch from our culture’s view of life to God’s. Then and only then can we prove by experience that God’s will, His way of living, is truly good, acceptable, and perfect.

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 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2

So, how dead are you today? Remember, this will not be an easy task, it takes consistently committed effort as does all change in this world.  As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. noted “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”
May the Lord bless you as you walk in dependence on Him today.