FOUR GROWTH CONTRIBUTORS – “OFFER YOUR-SELF AS A LIVING SACRIFICE”

Growing up into maturity is an essential aspect of Christian life. Maturity for a Christian doesn’t come automatically, neither does it without being “scarred” for our Saviour. This is precisely, as I see it, what Paul is addressing in Romans 12:1-2 where he says, “OFFER YOUR-SELF AS A LIVING SACRIFICE” to God.
– “​1 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. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

Living Sacrifice, which the apostle Paul  talks about is not offering a dead sacrifice, as in the Old Testament times. Living Sacrifice is the concept of the New Testament, where the person himself is the “sacrificial animal” and he is not to be “physically sacrificed,” but still has to offer himself as a sacrifice every single day…again and again, to LORD Jesus.

Living Sacrifice is a daily process of offering ourselves afresh each single day to the LORD our God. Only when we willingly cross the threshold of our own comfort, and walk unhesitantly towards offering ourselves as the “Living Sacrifice” do we see the hand of God transforming us into the person that He wants us to be.
– Living Sacrifice begins with surrendering ourselves to the LORD Jesus.
– Living Sacrifice becomes real sacrifice, when we intentionally keep ourselves clean by not conforming to the standards of this world.
– Living Sacrifice is to seek God earnestly asking Him to transform us by the renewing of our minds.
– Living Sacrifice is to offer ourselves without resistance to be “crushed” and “burnt” in our body, mind, heart and spirit, so that, we are purified to the standards of God, and thus become the “renewed” person that God wants us to be.
– Living Sacrifice is to endure suffering with a steadfast spirit and continue to walk with the LORD unfazed.

Are we prepared to cross the threshold of our comfort for God? Are we willing to offer ourselves as a “Living Sacrifice” unto the LORD Jesus? Let us earnestly seek Him for grace, mercy and strength to offer ourselves as Living Sacrifice, every single day. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.