Jesus is the epitome of sacrifice. He gave up His life and went to the cross willingly. Jesus is God and knew exactly what He was in for before His death took place. He knew every ounce of pain He would endure. He knew every sinew and muscle of His that would be damaged, pierced or bruised. And yet He willingly went. "Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:8.
Everything about our salvation hinges on a sacrifice at mount Calvary.
Follow my logic here: 1) Christ was asked by the Father to be sacrificed for us. 2) we are followers of Christ, therefore, we sacrifice what is asked of us by the Lord.
This is simple logic that enables God to work through us to impact the world for Christ. Now lets look at Romans 12:1-2 "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. 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."
Powerful verse. Lets make some observations.
Observation #1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God" The word beseech means to appeal to. Paul says, I appeal to you by the mercies of God. In other words what ever follows this phrase is in light of and based upon the mercies of God. Mercy means not getting the punishment you deserve. The punishment we deserve is to be the target of God's wrath against our sin. God made Christ on the cross the target and spared us the Fathers wrath. This is overwhelming mercy especially when you consider how much God hates sin. That is an eternal kindness that only God can accomplish. Remember, what ever is next we accept in the shadow of God's mercy.
Observation #2 "that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God" A sacrifice in the biblical sense is an animal that is slain upon the alter and burned up. The smoke reaches heaven and is seen as a gift to the Lord. No longer is it on earth but now it is given to God. Therefore, a living sacrifice is a living person that is completely given to the Lord. They are dead to their former way of selfish life. And all of them is given as a gift to God in the same manner that all of Jesus was given as a gift to us. They are to be Holy which is acceptable to God. Proverbs 3:6 tells us "In all your ways acknowledge Him." That is what is being requested here, to systematically give every corner of your life and heart to God.
Observation #3 "which is your reasonable service" This is the nail in the coffin of making the case for Christian obedience. Why should you give everything to God? Why should we become a living sacrifice? Because it is only reasonable. He gave everything to us on the cross, so we give everything to Him in this life. I used to say in my preaching. Can't you give a little to God because He gave so much to you? I don't say it anymore because it is unreasonable. It is unreasonable to give a little bit to God. A better thing to say is. He gave you everything therefore, give Him everything. It is only reasonable. It is only sensible.
Remember the base of the appeal, the mercies of God? "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God" Think upon this;we should be burning to a crisp as we speak, but instead we are given breath. We are given a good life with people we love. We are given salvation. We are given the best gift we can ever hope to receive, a relationship with God. Remember everyday to say to yourself. I don't deserve this. I should be in the lake of fire if it were not for Him. Remember you are in His debt.
A prisoner dreams of what he will do when he gets out. When he is finally released he gets the best looking burger money can buy. He enjoys it and orders another. In light of his incarceration he lives differently and loves life more. We have to remember that we are always in His debt. We should be experiencing His wrath in hell right now. Therefore, we live our lives as living sacrifices.
Conclusion: No longer live "conformed to this world" Don't live following the lusts and sins of our society. But live in a way that allows God to transform you. By changing your mind about areas in your life that need to be made holy. Give your life over to Him one issue at a time as God lays it heavy on your heart. That is what it means to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind"
What an awesome God we serve. And we can be an awesome instrument for Him.
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