“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 (ESV)
In the early Jewish faith it was more than just tradition to offer sacrifices to God, it was a requirement of His law. Yet, when Christ Jesus gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of all mankind on the cross at Calvary, that was the fulfillment of the sacrificial law. Paul exhorts the readers of this epistle — then and now — that God now required a different sacrifice than burnt offerings on an altar. Here Paul calls for Christians to present themselves as holy, acceptable sacrifices, just as the sacrificial animals were to be without blemish. In order to do so, we must guard our thoughts, our words, our actions, and be faithfully executing good and righteous works for the Kingdom. In so doing, we will present our bodies as living sacrifices by obeying the commands of God. Even Samuel knew in the days of sacrifices that obeying God was more important to Him than the offering of sacrifices. “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) So how is your sacrifice? Does it need a little work before it is presentable before God? What are you waiting for?
Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA