Living Sacrifice - A Biblical Truth
As Christians, we're called to give ourselves to God as a "living sacrifice." The Apostle Paul helps us understand this truth in his letter to the believers in Rome:
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. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
Living Sacrifice - Dying to Self
So, how do we truly present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice? In a nutshell, we must die to our prior selves. This concept is wonderfully presented in this anonymous poem…
When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ;
That is dying to self.
When your good is evil spoken of when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in a patient, loving silence;
That is dying to self.
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did;
That is dying to self.
When you are content with any food, and offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God;
That is dying to self.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown;
That is dying to self.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances;
That is dying to self.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart;
That is dying to self.
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Are we taking heed to this perfect style of living? Are we moving in this direction. Are we fasting and praying to obtain this in our lives, because it’s just not for a short time; it’s a lifetime living.
(1.) The body must be presented to him, Rom. 12:1. The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body, 1 Cor. 6:13, 14. The exhortation is here introduced very pathetically: I beseech you, brethren. Though he was a great apostle, yet he calls the meanest Christians brethren, a term of affection and concern. He uses entreaty; this is the gospel way: As though God did beseech you by us, 2 Cor. 5:20.
1.] The duty pressed—to present our bodies a living sacrifice, alluding to the sacrifices under the law, which were presented or set before God at the altar, ready to be offered to him. Your bodies—your whole selves; so, expressed because under the law the bodies of beasts were offered in sacrifice, 1 Cor. 6:20. Our bodies and spirits are intended.
12 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
AMEN humbleness of heart is. We have to mindful to come UNTO the Lord as little children and love, trust, and OBEY GOD
Praise God ! Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is …
Walking in obedience, dying to self dally makes us walk in the call and purpose God has on our lives.....Lord Guide me....
Be a living sacrifice
This is so true that we must continue to keep God first by walking in His word though
obedience. We must die daily to this flesh.
Amen. This process is something most of us struggle with but when we have the love of Jesus in our hearts we are able to turn to Jesus for strength. I must continue to die to self daiky
Amen, bless you, Prophetess, Irene I love when God corrects us, and direct us to his truth. I tell people all the time, God is forever getting on me, and I love it because he is a Father that desires his children to have, and be the best. It is Written:
Deuteronomy 8:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.
Irene Jones said:
Amen amen yess i must done it all
Amen, self ceases to exist. In dying to self we find the abundant life in God totally depending on Him who will provide and supplies all our needs.