Living as Sacrifices: A Response to God's Mercy
When we consider the great mercy God has shown to us, the natural question that arises is: How should we respond? In the letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul gives us a clear and profound answer to this question. His words echo through the ages, calling believers to a radical and transformative way of living. In Romans 12:1, Paul writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
At the heart of this verse is the concept of offering our entire lives to God as a living sacrifice. This act of sacrifice is not about a one-time event or a ritual, but rather a continuous, ongoing decision to surrender ourselves to God's will. Paul is urging Christians to respond to God's mercy by living lives that are wholly dedicated to Him. Our response to His forgiveness, His grace, and His invitation into His family is not merely a matter of acknowledging these gifts; it is about living in a way that reflects our gratitude and devotion.
The idea of offering our lives as living sacrifices is not a foreign one in the Bible. Throughout the Old Testament, sacrifices were central to the worship practices of God's people. Animals were offered on the altar as a symbol of atonement for sin and a means of drawing near to God. However, these sacrifices were temporary and ultimately pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament sacrificial system, making a way for us to be reconciled to God.
Yet, even though the sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the call to sacrifice remains central to the Christian life. The difference now is that the sacrifice we are called to make is not a dead offering but a living one. Our lives are to be continually offered to God as an act of worship. This is not a one-time event but an ongoing commitment to live for God's purposes and not our own. True worship, according to Paul, is not about outward rituals or religious performances but about the surrender of our hearts, minds, and bodies to God.
Paul continues in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In this verse, Paul presents a stark contrast between the way of the world and the way of God. The world, in the biblical sense, is not just the physical creation but the system of values, desires, and behaviors that are in opposition to God's will. It is a system that promotes self-centeredness, the pursuit of pleasure, the accumulation of wealth, and the desire for status and power. These desires, while not inherently sinful, become problematic when they take precedence over God's will and lead us to live in ways that are contrary to His purposes.
To live as living sacrifices, we must break free from this "me-first" mindset that is so pervasive in the world. The world teaches us to live for ourselves, to pursue our own happiness, and to prioritize our own desires above all else. But Paul challenges us to reject this pattern of thinking and living. Instead, we are called to be transformed. This transformation begins with the renewal of our minds.
The transformation Paul speaks of is not a superficial change but a deep, internal renewal. The renewal of our minds is essential because it is through our thoughts that our actions are shaped. Our thinking influences our desires, our choices, and ultimately the way we live. If our minds are conformed to the patterns of the world, we will naturally pursue the things the world values—pleasure, possessions, status, and self-interest. However, if our minds are renewed, we will begin to think differently. We will start to understand God's will for our lives and be able to discern what is truly good, acceptable, and perfect in His sight.
The process of renewing our minds involves immersing ourselves in God's Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. It requires intentional effort to align our thoughts with God's truth. As we spend time in God's presence and allow His Word to shape our thinking, we begin to see the world through His eyes. We start to understand that life is not about the accumulation of material possessions or the pursuit of personal success, but about living in a way that honors God and fulfills His purposes.
This transformation is not instantaneous. It is a lifelong process of growth and change. As we renew our minds, we become more attuned to God's will and more willing to submit our desires to Him. We begin to see our lives not as our own but as a precious gift to be used for God's glory. We learn to ask the question, "What does God want for me?" rather than "What do I want for myself?"
As our minds are renewed, we begin to understand what it means to live for God's purposes. We no longer view our lives through the lens of personal ambition or self-interest but through the lens of God's kingdom. We begin to ask ourselves how our actions, decisions, and priorities can reflect God's will and advance His purposes in the world.
This shift in perspective has profound implications for every area of our lives. It affects the way we relate to others, the way we approach our work, and the way we use our resources. We begin to see our relationships not as opportunities for personal gain but as opportunities to serve others and demonstrate God's love. We approach our work not as a means to build our own success but as a way to contribute to the flourishing of others and the advancement of God's kingdom. We use our resources not for selfish indulgence but to bless others and support God's work in the world.
Living for God's purposes also means recognizing that everything we have—our time, our talents, our possessions—belongs to Him. We are stewards, not owners. Our lives are not our own to do with as we please but are entrusted to us by God for His purposes. As we offer our lives as living sacrifices, we surrender our desires, our ambitions, and our plans to God's will. We trust that His plans are better than our own and that living for Him is the only path to true fulfillment and meaning.
In a world that constantly promotes the pursuit of pleasure, possessions, and status, it is easy to believe that these things will bring us fulfillment. But Paul reminds us that true fulfillment is found not in the things of this world but in living for God's purposes. When we offer our lives to God as living sacrifices, we discover that this is the only path to true contentment. The things of this world are temporary and fleeting, but the life that is lived for God's glory is eternal.
As we live in obedience to God's will, we experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. We begin to experience a deep sense of satisfaction that cannot be found in material possessions or personal achievement. This is the true nature of fulfillment—the fulfillment that comes from living in alignment with God's will and being a part of His eternal kingdom.
In response to God's great mercy, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices. This is not a means to earn salvation, but the natural response to the grace we have received. To live in this way, we must break free from the me-first mentality of the world and allow our minds to be renewed by God's Word. As our minds are transformed, we begin to understand God's will for our lives and are empowered to live for His purposes. In doing so, we find true fulfillment—not in the fleeting pleasures of this world, but in living for the glory of God.
The question we must ask ourselves is: How are we responding to God's mercy? Are we offering our lives as living sacrifices, or are we still chasing after the empty promises of the world? The choice is ours, but the invitation to live for God's purposes is one that leads to true joy, peace, and fulfillment. May we, like Paul, present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as our true and proper worship.