This concept is variously explained by Bible teachers. It’s an Old Testament concept drawn from literal sacrifices offered by the priest in the tabernacle or temple. Those sacrifices were dead, of course. Ironically, Romans 12:1 is saying our bodies should be presented as “living sacrifices.” This is apparently an oxymoron (contradiction). But, since the language is symbolic, there has to be a reality behind it. Since a sacrifice involves a real death, then it would have to be the case with our bodies but in a spiritual sense. Earlier in Romans it is written, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:12-13). From that perspective, a living sacrifice is a believer avoiding anything and anybody that would lead to sin, even those he or she have strong affections for (money, prestige, we’ll-to-do friends, a “good” church, a high job position, association with the opposite gender [or same gender], cliques, etc.). The idea also entails suffering for Christ. Jesus said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). See also 1 Peter 4:12-14. Thus, we live in a world that hates us, but we as believers love people as God does (John 3:16). The rest of Romans 12 explains the attitude and practice of a living sacrifice. They are
Sanctification 12:2
Humility 12:3
Harmony 12:4-5
Using our spiritual gifts 12:6-8
Loving & energetically serving 12:9-11
Joyful and prayerful 12:12
Benevolent 12:13
Not vengeful 12:14, 17a
Empathetic and lowly 12:15-16
Honest. 12:17b
Peaceful (as much as possible) 12:18-19
Kindness to your enemy’s “head” 12:20
An overcomer. 12:21
Having that explanation, are you a “living sacrifice?” Am I? If we’re not complying with Romans 12:2, then imagine a STOP sign (🛑) in front of verse 3, meaning to go no further until we consistently obey
verse 2. Two prayers in this regard help me, both found in Psalm - 19:12-14 and
139:23-24. In fact, read all the scriptures quoted. May the Lord give us more insight into His Word. Blessings!
Comments