Living Sacrifice

A Short Sermon by Brother Greg

Romans 12: 1-2

Paul said, "I beseech you..." (to beg, implore) to live for and devote yourselves to God.

To present our bodies as a living sacrifice to and for God means several things. A child of God is to be constant, continuously living for and representing God in the place God has him right now. We should not think, "I'll do this first, and then I will be able to sacrifice my time and myself." A child of God is to sacrifice his own desires and live for God with all that he is. We should desire to try our best to avoid corrupting our bodies (the temple). We give up our desires for His desires when we focus on Him and proclaim His name to all. A living sacrifice means the body (temple) lives for God by serving God.

Romans 6:13 describes the sacrifice of presenting oneself as an instrument of "righteousness to God." Second Corinthians 10:5 explains that mental discipline is necessary for "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of God." Matthew 7:12 and 22:39 describe a social sacrifice, to treat others as you would like to be treated, loving others as you love yourself. Understanding whose we are and whom we serve brings children of God joy in being a living sacrifice. When we understand who we are in Christ, we enter into a personal relationship with Him, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. We are a new creation; our bodies become a temple for true sacrifice (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Lord has done so much for us. In light of God's mercy, we must devote our time to Him and for Him. Time is short; the world needs to see our "living sacrifice."

"...For the form of this world is passing away." -- 1 Corinthians 7:31