May 2025 - Brenda H Price

When we think about the word sacrifice and its relationship with Jesus Christ, we often then about the enormous and selfless sacrifice that Jesus Christ the Son of God made on the cross for our sin through his death, burial and resurrection.

How often do we think about we ourselves making a sacrifice for Him? If you are like me, I certainly have not given it as much thought as I should. In the book of Romans Chapter 12 the Apostle Paul writes:

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.

2 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.

It is to believers that the Apostle wrote the book of Romans while he was in the city of Corinth. This 12th Chapter of Romans is an exhortation to practical living and to educate the believers on general principles of the Christian life that they needed to understand and put into practice. He begins by making an earnest, urgent request of some key principles.

A. Present your bodies a living sacrifice…

Each day we are to purpose in our hearts to present our whole being as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Body – meaning mind, body, soul and spirit. How? By being willing to allow God to lead and orchestrate our lives every day. Our body matters. Our inward questions should be similar to these:

- Father, what is your will for my life today?

- How can I serve you today, Lord?

- My mind shall be fixed on you today; fixed on your goodness and not all the negative things happening around me.

- My lips will speak life and holiness instead of death and despair.

- I will prophetically declare and decree your Word and follow the steps you have ordered for me.

- I give my to-do list and all my plans to you today, Father, and I will embrace your strength to accomplish what you have planned for me.

- My heart seeks to please you and not humankind.

"Presenting your bodies a living sacrifice" in Christianity means offering your entire life to God as a constant act of worship and dedication, rather than just a one-time act of surrender. It involves surrendering your entire being – your thoughts, emotions, actions, and even your physical body – to God's will. This is not a passive surrender, but an active choice to align your life with God's purpose.

B. …Holy and acceptable…

Being holy means being set apart, consecrated for God's service. It involves striving to live in a way that is pleasing to God, avoiding sin and seeking to be transformed by His grace.

Acceptable to God:

This emphasizes that the act of offering your body as a living sacrifice is a worship that pleases God. It's a response to His loving kindness, mercy and a demonstration of gratitude for Hislove and sacrifice.

C. It’s Our Reasonable Service

It is a service or worship that is made by our mind. It’s the inner motives or our desires, rather than outward deeds. In essence, it's about actively choosing to live a life that reflects God's character and values, using your life to honor and glorify Him.

God has been so very merciful to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we call ourselves born again believers, we should gladly be willing to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. How dare we complain? Our service or acts of worship should be joyous.

If our good deeds are not expressing the worth of God, then our deeds are not genuine worship. Let us keep in mind that we are not offering our bodily looks (though it may be of a beautiful appearance), we are offering our bodily behavior instead. Let us strive to make sure that others see the beauty of Christ in us. When we draw other to Him; that my friend is a pleasing act of worship to Christ.