Living Sacrifice

July 16

2 Chronicles 8-9

Psalm 80:12-19

Proverbs 18:3-5

Romans 12

Living Sacrifice

“Therefore, I exhort you, brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing 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 approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  Romans 12:1-2 LSB

This must have been a radical concept to the people in Paul’s day.  They had grown up with the sacrificial system of daily animal sacrifices in the temple.  Sacrifices were made as an act of worship, as an act of seeking forgiveness for sins, thanking God for blessings, as celebration during festivals, etc.  But the sacrifices God established were always animals.  They were well acquainted with the pagan religions that offered child sacrifices to their “gods,” but human sacrifice had never been something God required.  It must have been strange for Paul to talk about “living sacrifices.” He was trying to help them understand that the old sacrificial system was no longer necessary.  Jesus had sacrificed Himself paying the penalty for sin once for all so they no longer needed to shed the blood of animals to atone for sin.  Now, replacing the sacrificial system, God desires that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice making ourselves available to God completely, setting aside our own plans and agendas and yielding to God’s plans for our life.  A living sacrifice is a servant, someone who willingly, without compulsion, offers themselves in service to another.  Paul describes this as our spiritual service of worship.  Service is an act of worship to God.  When we are doing the things God has called us to do it is a pleasing expression of worship.  Service to God shouldn’t be drudgery or something we dread.  Rather it should be something that is fulfilling, energizing and deeply satisfying.  I’m not suggesting that every minute of service will be fun or enjoyable.  Often it is hard work, but it will bring great joy. 

Paul then talks about renewing our minds and not being conformed to the pattern of this world.  What does that have to do with sacrificing ourselves to God?  The pattern of this world is to look out for number one, being self-focused and getting what we “deserve.”  The person with the mindset of sacrificing themselves to God has to put aside their own interests and desires.  They are transformed by the renewing of their mind to seek God’s will and His plans instead of their own.  They are renewing their minds by filling it with God’s Word so that they can discern and know what God’s good, pleasing and perfect will is.  And in renewing their mind, they find that their greatest desire is to please Him and they recognize that by following Him they will experience a much greater sense of peace, purpose and joy than they would ever find by seeking their own desires and interests.  Just as in Paul’s day, sacrificing ourselves is a radical idea that is not popular in our culture, but those who have this mindset understand the wisdom in it.