New Study - Sacrifices We All Need to Offer: Present Your Bodies
a Living Sacrifice
I have heard many Christians say that they are glad
that we do not still live under the Old Testament with its required blood
sacrifices and offerings, but there are sacrifices in the New Testament that
we need to be aware of so that we are offering what is acceptable and
well-pleasing 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.” (Romans 12:1 NKJV)
“I beseech you
therefore… by the mercies of God… ”
Beseech means to
strongly urge, to implore, or fervently ask. “I strongly urge you brethren…”
Therefore means because
of what I have just said, because of this, for this reason. So, whenever
you see the word “therefore” in the Bible, read the context (chapters and/or verses before) to
understand what the current command/instruction is ‘there for.’ To understand
Romans 12:1, you need to read Romans 11:28-36. In these verses we find that
because of God’s mercy, the gospel was given to the Gentiles after the Jews
rejected it.
“…that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice…”
Present your bodies means our
physical bodies, our capabilities: everything we can do with and within our
bodies. We can use our bodies (our
members: mind, heart, hands, etc.) as instruments of either sin or
righteousness. Take time to read Roman 6:1-23.
A living sacrifice means that God does not require blood or death
(as required under the Law, i.e. animal
sacrifice), but instead He desires us to have a willingness to sacrifice
whatever we need to remove from within ourselves (desires, sin) and our lives (company,
habits) so that we may commit/submit wholly to Him and His way. Consider
Matthew 16:24. People in Jesus’ time would have understood that anyone seen
carrying a cross was not going to return to their former life, and so we understand
that when we deny self and take up our cross,
we, too, will not return to our old life/ways because we are now following
Jesus (1 John 2:3-6). Show yourself
ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to follow God and obey His
commands.
“…holy, acceptable to
God…”
Holy means sacred,
set apart. You allow God’s word to make you different than the world and more
like the Lord (Romans 12:2).
Acceptable to God means we
do what He requires and commands.
We study God’s will, the Bible (2 Timothy
2:15, Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17), so we can do what aligns with His will,
what is approved by Him. Read and consider
these examples: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 1 Peter 3:1-4, Hebrews 11:6
“…which is your reasonable service.”
Reasonable service means rational conclusion. As we gain knowledge through study, and gain wisdom through
use of that knowledge (obedience), we
will develop spiritual understanding: comprehending the vital importance of God
and His word, Jesus’ sacrifice, His example, etc. We will begin to comprehend
the value of the spiritual blessings found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14). Our rational response to this understanding and
comprehension is to wholly commit to do what is needed to be holy – different
than the world, and more like Him – because we adhere to His instructions and guidance. This is the most logical, the most
sensible, response you can give to God who loves you and shows you such mercy.
I strongly urge you brethren, because of God’s mercy and compassion on you when He gave you access to the gospel of Christ; that you show yourself ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to follow Him and obey His commands, allow God’s word to make you different than those in the world who don’t know Him and become more like the Lord, doing what aligns with His will and what is approved by Him, for this is the most logical and the most sensible response you can give to God who loves you and shows you such mercy.
As Christians, this is a sacrifice we need to
be making each and every day. Are you presenting your body as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God?
You can do it! So can I!!
