“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Romans 12:1
What immediately comes to mind when you hear the word “sacrifice”? Articles in National Geographic magazines about bloody offerings in Aztec temples? The streams running red with lamb’s blood outside the temple of Jerusalem? Whatever comes to mind, it’s probably not a pretty picture.
But sacrifice is what God asks of us. Living sacrifice. Now that tickles my imagination. I picture myself on an altar, and as soon as God strikes the match to light the flame of some fiery ordeal, I do what any living sacrifice would do. I crawl off the altar!
This is exactly the dilemma Christians face. First, we are to present our bodies, that is, give them in the Lord’s service as a freewill offering. And because our sacrifice is a living one, it involves a choice. The gift of salvation does not require us to become a living sacrifice…we are not forced onto the altar…we are not coerced to stay on that altar. It is a choice we make out of love.
If presenting yourself as a living sacrifice seems downright distasteful, if you find yourself trying to devise a way of serving God that seems more agreeable to your comforts, remember this: Jesus sacrificed everything for you. Please don’t argue with the Lord about how heavily He stokes the fire of your trial. Just get back up on the altar. It’s your spiritual worship!
I realize, Lord, that my trust and obedience is all You ask of me through my trials. Forgive me when I sneak off the altar or try to turn down the flame of my trial. As my High Priest, You know best how to tend the altar.
