WHAT IS A LIVING SACRIFICE

(King James Bible, rightly divided)

Romans 12:1 to 2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1) A living sacrifice defined

A living sacrifice is the believer’s continual presentation of his body and life to God as set apart for His use. It is not an offering for sin and it is not a payment to earn favor. Christ has already paid in full with His own blood. See Ephesians 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 15:3 to 4. A living sacrifice is the grateful response to mercy. We belong to the Lord and we yield ourselves to Him for His service.

2) The basis, the mercies of God

Paul pleads by the mercies of God. In Romans 1 through 11 God declares justification by faith, peace with God, no condemnation in Christ, the indwelling Spirit, and the sure standing of grace. On that foundation alone the believer is urged to present his body. Service flows from salvation, never the other way around. We serve because Christ died and rose again for us. See 2 Corinthians 5:14 to 15.

3) Present your bodies

Paul is specific. Present your bodies. God claims our real, everyday members and faculties. See Romans 6:13. Eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, and mind are to be used as instruments of righteousness unto God. This is not a one time ceremony. It is a deliberate and repeated yielding of ourselves to God in the details of life.

4) Living, not dying

Under the Law, sacrifices died on an altar. In the dispensation of grace, the sacrifice lives because Christ has died once for all. We are dead to sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. See Romans 6:11. We live, yet not we, but Christ liveth in us. See Galatians 2:20. A living sacrifice is a life animated by Christ, not an act of bodily harm or self punishment.

5) Holy and acceptable unto God

Holy means set apart. Acceptable means well pleasing. What makes this presentation acceptable is not our performance but our position in Christ through His blood. See Ephesians 1:7. We then walk worthy of that calling by avoiding defilement and by cleansing ourselves as vessels unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use. See Ephesians 4:1 and 2 Timothy 2:21.

6) Reasonable service

Reasonable means fitting and intelligent. In light of the gospel of grace, it is only right to yield to the One who purchased us. Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God’s. See 1 Corinthians 6:19 to 20. This is true worship for the Body of Christ in this dispensation.

7) The renewing of your mind

A living sacrifice cannot be separated from mind renewal. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. See Romans 12:2. Renewal comes from sound doctrine, especially the doctrine given to and through Paul. As the word of Christ dwells in us richly, we approve what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. See Colossians 3:16.

8) What a living sacrifice is not

It is not an atonement. Only Christ’s one offering at Calvary atones.

It is not a return to Israel’s temple worship. The Body of Christ does not bring animal offerings.

It is not asceticism or self abuse. God calls for reasonable service, not superstition.

It is not a quest for position or titles. God esteems faithfulness and truth.

9) How a living sacrifice looks in practice

1. Consecrated body. Refuse to yield your members to sin. Use them for righteousness. See Romans 6:13.

2. Christ centered aim. Live unto Him who died and rose for you. See 2 Corinthians 5:15.

3. Good works that fit grace. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. See Ephesians 2:10.

4. Open handed generosity. Giving that supports Pauline ministry is called a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. See Philippians 4:18.

5. Joyful endurance in service. Even if poured out upon the sacrifice and service of another’s faith, rejoice for Christ’s sake. See Philippians 2:17.

6. Whole life obedience. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. See Colossians 3:17.

10) The heart that offers a living sacrifice

The Macedonians first gave their own selves to the Lord. See 2 Corinthians 8:5. That is the heart of a living sacrifice. It begins with yielded ownership. It continues with daily renewal. It bears fruit that adorns sound doctrine. It stands in liberty and serves by love. See Galatians 5:1 and Galatians 5:13.

Summary

A living sacrifice is the believer, already saved by the blood of Christ, presenting his body and life to God as holy and well pleasing, as the reasonable response to grace. It is grounded in the finished work of the cross. It is guided by renewed thinking from Pauline truth. It is expressed through consecrated living, generous giving, steadfast service, and a Christ centered aim. This is how the Body of Christ proves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God in this present dispensation.