Through Christ's unique and complete sacrifice on the cross of calvary, we have been set free from sin and have been reconciled with God. In this process we have become new creatures, the old has passed away. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
In accordance with this transformation we are called to live a life set apart for God. We are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. We do not need to offer lambs and doves as sacrifices, Christ's sacrifice has totally secured our salvation. Rather we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
To offer ourselves means to offer our every being. What we hear, what we say ,what we do and what we see entails this sacrifice. We must make a conscious effort to live for God. "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1). We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds through God's Word and must not conform to the way of life of the world. "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" (Romans 12:2)
Why does God demand this sacrifice from us? This first and foremost allows us to offer our true worship to God. Worship should not be seen as a sunday affair but a total and continuous sacrifice of our thoughts, speech and actions to God. This leads to the second point. When we do the above we are able to know God's will for our lives and live according. Thirdly, we are able to draw people to God. Our unique way of doing things according to God's will, will serve as a witnessing tool to the unbeliever. "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Accept my daily sacrifice to you even as a I offer my life to you as a living sacrifice.
And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen!
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