This post is the introduction to a series about “A Living Sacrifice”.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

A Living Sacrifice – Day 1

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? I really want to be and do what Jesus asks, but it is sometimes difficult. It takes discipline, because there is an enemy who does not want us to succeed. In Romans 12 we find advice on becoming a LIVING sacrifice.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

The Thought

What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”???

That is the question I have been asking. HOW does one become a LIVING sacrifice? By it’s very nature a sacrifice is dead! Isn’t it? Years ago a visiting preacher in our church said something I have never forgotten, she said “The trouble with a LIVING sacrifice is that it keeps getting up off the altar”!!

That’s me. In my heart of hearts, I really want to be and do what Jesus asks, but it is sometimes difficult. It takes discipline, because there is an enemy who doesn’t want us to succeed. How many times have I heard Christians say, “I made a New Year’s resolution to read my Bible every morning. I did it all through January, but then it didn’t work any more!”

There are demons that can affect our thought patterns, and will whisper to us “The bed is too comfortable”, “You need to sleep a little more”, “God will forgive you!”

We must learn to recognise these thoughts and banish them.

Paul is urging you and me to do that as we become living sacrifices for Jesus. But HOW?

So much of what Paul wrote prompts one question after another!! But as we read on in chapter 12 we find lots of helpful advice about how to become a LIVING sacrifice.

Because of the way Romans 12 begins, we need to look at why, in most translations of the Bible, the first word is “therefore”. Obviously our chapter for this month is a follow on from something else. That’s where we will start tomorrow.

Action

As you begin this new study ask Jesus to be your companion, as you work slowly through this chapter together with Him. Pray that He will reveal to you the hidden mysteries in His word.

Pray for others who are doing this study with us in different parts of the world, and Praise Creator God that He can speak to all of us at the same time.