The Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

“12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,  by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

How do we present our bodies as a living sacrifice?  We do this by living a life that is acceptable to God.  Paul’s appeal to us is for us to live a life that is transformed; to live a life that is different from someone who is not a Christian; to live a life that is characterized by the greater gifts of love, faith, hope, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  

Living such a life requires that we are not conformed to the world.   We will be different from the world in which we live.  We will live lives that are set apart.  Where there is hate, we will sow love.  Where there is violence and chaos, we will sow peace and order.  Where there is vengeance, we will sow forgiveness and mercy.

Finally, living such a life requires that we open ourselves daily to the power of the Holy Spirit and allow the process of transformation to renew our minds so that we will know the will of God.

This is the living sacrifice.  This is Christianity.

May the love of Christ be with you

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)