A LIVING SACRIFICE

"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" (Romans 12: 1). Every human being will one day come before God’s throne and see Him face to face. As imperfect humans beings, we would face Him naked, dirty, weary, scarred, ugly and hopeless. We would be without excuse for what we have done. We would have no sacrifice to offer to Him.

God has given us the opportunity to change that dismal scene! We can face Him boldly, with our heads held high, dressed as royalty, acceptable to Him and offering Him an acceptable sacrifice. Those who follow after His Son will have their lives washed in the blood of The Lamb. They will be clothed in Him. They will be able to offer Him up as their sacrifice for cleansing from sin.

To put it another way, we will be able to shed our life of shame, guilt and sin to put on a new life which is given to us in Christ. It is a life that we can be proud of showing. It is a life which can be presented to God. Therefore, doesn’t it seem sensible to offer this life to Him now? Wouldn’t it be a reasonable act of gratitude and thankfulness for us to use the life He has given us in His service? Shouldn’t we be more than willing to offer our new life as a living sacrifice to Him?

- Bryan Naugle