A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

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.

If you have given your life to Jesus and you are serving God as a Christian what God demands from you as a service is for you to offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1.

God looks at you first before looking at your offering, tithe, worship, seed, works etc. 

You can't move God by any of this if you are not acceptable to him. 

Cain and Abel example Genesis 4:3-7

And in process of time, it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

From these scriptures, it was clear that the first thing that God looks at is the person and not the offering ("And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering"). God's rejection of the sacrifice of Cain was primarily because his person was not acceptable to God ("But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect"). 

Are you acceptable to God? If you will be acceptable to Him, you must offer yourself as a living sacrifice. 

What is a living sacrifice?

A sacrifice that is alive and the life of God is fully embodied. A sacrifice that is totally consecrated to God.  

Every part of your body - tongue, eyes, ear, hand, leg, mind, soul, fully consecrated to God.

How do you become a living sacrifice?

1. A broken Spirit and a contrite heart. Psalm 51:17. Your Spirit becomes broken and your heart contrite by constant yield to the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

2. Be not conformed to this world. Don't be joined to the ways of the world- character, behaviour, thought, dressing, speaking, and lifestyle. John 15:5-6 also defines the things in the world as the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. You must not allow this to control you.

Righteousness should be your watchword. Psalm 4:5.

3. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This is done through the power of God’s Word to transform us. 

• We need to hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 

• Read the word of God. Revelation 1:3

• Study the word of God. Acts 17:11 

• Memorize the scriptures. Psalm 119:9-11

• Meditate on the Scripture. Psalm 1:2-3

The Word of God ministered in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, is the only power on earth that can transform us from worldliness to true spirituality. The work of sanctification by the word of God must be complete in you.

Friends, we need to be more concerned about how God sees us more than how men see us. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to Him on a continuous basis and remain acceptable to God. God bless you.