Romans 12:1-2 KJV
I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A sacrifice is an act of offering something of value to a supreme being or another person. It is used to atone for sins, appeal for wrongdoings, procure favour, express thanksgiving and equally to worship, and praise the person to whom it is offered. Literally, sacrifice brings one to the good light of the person to whom it is given.
Sacrifice could be acceptable or unacceptable. In the old testament, Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable, while Cain’s sacrifice was not. In some instances, some sacrifices are abomination; according to Proverbs 21:27 KJV – “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”
For a sacrifice to be acceptable, some standards and criteria need to be met. It must be without blemish, perfect, holy, voluntary, free will and must come from a clean heart.
Leviticus 1:3 KJV –“If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.”
For these reasons, Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:1KJV -“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”Your reasonable service to worship God is to present yourself as a Living Sacrifice, that is holy, acceptable, and the kind without any form of blemish.
To present your body as a living sacrifice to God is:
- To surrender your whole self to him.
- To say, Lord, I am yours. Everything that I am- body and soul, I present it to you. I am your humble servant.
- To say, You are my Lord. Use me to accomplish your purposes, and to bring honor to your most Holy name.
- To live for Him daily.
- To live for His will and not your will
- To be separated from the world and not being conformed to the world.
- To avoid living a careless life
- To be mindful of what comes out of your mouth
- To live as the Light of the world
- To live a life that serves the Lord among all odds (Joshua said as for me and my family we will serve the Lord). No matter the situation.
- To have a renewed mind.
To be a living sacrifice, you must first renew your mind. The Holy Spirit can transform your mind by releasing power within you, as you meditate on God\’s Word. The Spirit of God and the Word of God work together to transform you into the image of the Son of God.
In conclusion, “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise”(Psalm 51:17 KJV). To offer your body as a living sacrifice is to die to self, but to live for God with everything that you are. This kind of sacrifice is your reasonable and acceptable form of worship.