On Being A Living and Holy Sacrifice – Romans 12

All people, regardless of status, ethnicity, geography, facial features, or body type, are the recipients of 24 hours, or 1,440 minutes in every day – GOD gives all the same. However, the children of GOD receive something in addition – the fruit of His enduring goodness and mercy.

Every millisecond of every day, because of the atoning blood of JESUS CHRIST, GOD forgives our sin and cares for us as a Father and Shepherd.

Romans 12:1 tells us that recipients of the fruit of GOD’s mercy, the children of GOD, ought to gladly give their bodies daily in holy sacrificial service to their Father.

I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:2

How do we consecrate and offer ourselves to God as a living and holy sacrifice?

The dictionary defines sacrifice as “anything consecrated and offered to God.”

In the past GOD accepted repeated blood sacrifices for our sin. Now He has offered up His only SON as a sacrifice to save us. In light of what GOD has done for us, we offer ourselves and all that we are to GOD as “human sacrifices.” We dedicate ourselves wholly to the LORD daily; we give all that we are, all that we have, all that we are gifted to do in service to Him.

Our sacrifice is not an atoning sacrifice bur rather an offer of worshipful thanksgiving for the atonement that CHRIST freely purchased on our behalf, by which the Father cancelled out our sin debt. And now He calls us children - we are GODS's family. It can hardly be too much to show our sincerest and humblest appreciation for our redemption - the payment of a debt we could never repay on our own.

How do we practice holy and worshipful service to our GOD?

We make choices everyday about how we spend our time. How do we ensure that what we are spending the majority of our waking hours on, some 960 minutes, is worshipful and acceptable to GOD?

GOD gives to all of His children “gifts of grace” to be used for and behalf of the Body of CHRIST. These include gifts for prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and kindness. As is His way, GOD does not leave us to our own devices in the way we handle our gifts, but ensures that we get everything we need to excel in our gifts, so He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well... Romans 12:6-9.  

The Holy Spirit is our counselor. Only by allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit, are we able to consistently impact other’s lives for good. The Holy Spirit helps us to develop the qualities that mark us as “human sacrifices” and mature in holiness that is acceptable to the Father. The Holy Spirit works with us to ensure that the people and Kingdom of God reap the full benefit of our gifts, as GOD intends. 

What attributes mark a child of GOD as a living and holy sacrifice, and acceptable to the Father?

A child of GOD must easily be distinguishable from the rest of the world – the attributes that mark us as such are contained in one word “LOVE”! A genuine love for GOD and His people by which we are able to:

1. Hate evil and embrace what is good
2. Not give in to evil in our personal lives
3. Hold tightly and honor GOD's WORD and HIS TRUTH
4. Honor others above ourselves
5. Be hardworking and zealous in doing good and not be slothful and lazy
6. Rejoice in the hope we are promised
7. Be patient and endure in hardships
8. Pray continually for all people and in all circumstances
9. Contribute to the needs of the Body and non-believers
10. Be hospitable to all people
11. Bless and not curse our persecutors
12. Rejoice with those who are happy and weep with those who grieving
13. Live in peace with all people
14. Avoid pride and associate with everyone, regardless of status
15. Be teachable – not be a know-it-all obsessed with our own wisdom
16. Not seek revenge and payback one evil for another – but forgive
17. Allow GOD to be the Judge of His creation – leave vengeance to Him
18. Do what is honorable at all times – walk in integrity
19. Provide for the needs of our enemy – food, clothing – as it is within our ability to do
20. Not allow evil to influence our choices but instead choose to good and acts of service

 (Romans 12: 9-21)

What we do for the people of GOD and in service to our Father represent our love in action.

GOD is pleased when we choose to do that which is holy and do it with worshipful humility.

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

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father and our GOD whose mercy never runs out and whose love is unfathomable, to the only wise GOD whose glory is promised forever through JESUS CHRIST. For YOU, Father, so love us that YOU gave YOUR only SON that we would be saved to everlasting life. Because of so great a sacrifice, we are now sons and daughters with special gifts for service in YOUR Kingdom. Thank you Father, that YOU gave us also the HOLY SPIRIT to be our guide and counselor, to teach us how to use our gifts and how to be holy and dedicated servants, living sacrifices in gratitude for all that YOU have done. Father, help us not to see what we are called to as anything less than the greatest of honor, and how undeserving we are outside of CHRIST. Holy GOD, teach us eternal gratitude, worship and reverence. YOU are a good, good Father and we love YOU. To YOU be dominion and power for ever and ever, in JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile