Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sacrifice (Part 3)

 "Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1 NIV

"And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God for all he has done for you, Let them be a living and holy sacrifice- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." Romans 12:1 NLT

In the times of Moses, animal sacrifices were given as an atonement for the sins of the people. This was a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. Christ's blood poured out on the cross covers the sins of all man. When God looks at us, he sees the blood of his son, freely given as a sacrifice for our sin. Christ took the penalty for our sin- we are covered by his blood therefore, no longer is an animal sacrifice needed. He paid the penalty once for all. 

When Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, he is encouraging us to respond to what God has done for us in the sacrifice of Christ, his only son. He is also calling us to reflect upon Christ's willingness to be that sacrifice. How else can we respond, but to allow ourselves to be made holy and used as an instrument for His purposes. 

Romans 12:2 goes on to tell us how to be a living sacrifice. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." 

Our sacrifice is to daily commune with God. To spend time praising him, learning about him, deepening our love and trust in him. To turn away from the ungodliness of the world depicted through materialism, lust, media, and our own selfish nature.

How does this look in practical terms? It is a sacrifice to turn off the TV and read your Bible. It is a sacrifice to go to church or Bible Study on your day off. It is a sacrifice to keep quiet when we would love to defend ourselves or return a negative comment. Sacrifice is denying ourselves a treat so we can offer our money to a mission. Sacrifices come when we bow our head and praise him for his goodness in the midst of a trial. You are offering yourself as a living sacrifice when you train your mind to focus on Christ rather than let it run wildly with worry and fear.

What sacrifices will you offer the Lord today?

Dear Father-
Today I humbly offer you my mind and body for your will and your service. Teach me to live moment by moment as a sacrifice to you. You sent your son to sacrifice his life for mine. I can never repay this debt. But the best I have to offer is by living for you. Thank you, Dear Lord, for loving me so much. I love you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

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