SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 6: 12 - 20
Generally you don't present something which is alive to be sacrificed, it is killed and then presented as a sacrifice. Jesus was that sacrifice, who sacrificed himself on behalf of us on the cross without any blemish, so we can live. Hebrews 10:12 states, he was the single sacrifice, good for all sins (Past, Present and future). Thereby, as Paul states in Galatians 2:20, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Thereby we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, by trusting is Christ (Romans 12:1).
Living sacrifices means, we have to live our lives reminding ourselves that we are dedicated to God and we no longer belong to ourselves but to God though Christ. It is honoring God with our body. (1 Corinthians 6:20).
But why do we need to present ourselves as a living sacrifice.
1. Our bodies are made for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:13
2. Because of what God has done for you. Romans 12:1
3. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13: 14 -15
4. Our bodies are a part of Christ and he dwells in us. 1 Corinthians 6: 15.
Then the next question will be, How will we become a living sacrifice for God?
1. By doing good and sharing with those in need. Hebrews 13:16
2. By living a life not being conformed to this world and its ways. Romans 12:2 (Read Romans 12: 3 - 21)
3. A broken Spirit and a repentant heart. Psalm 51:17
4. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6: 19
We do not want God to reject us before him in judgement. We need to be without blemish for him to accept us. We need to to remind ourselves that He is Holy and wants us to be holy too.
May God's mercies lead and guide us through the Holy Spirit in enabling us to walk a lifestyle of being a living sacrifice.
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