The Romans of that day knew full well about sacrifices. The pagan religions had, s part of their temple procedures, the killing of something or someone. As these converts to Christianity sought a devout walk with God, Paul offered to them a new concept. The sacrifice the worshippers should make was not to kill something or someone. It needed to be their own personal selves to forego sin in favor of God. More remarkable was that their sacrifice was to be alive. This idea was contrary to what one would expect.
Paul’s statement to the Romans was not a command as from God but more of a suggestion for spiritual growth. It is not possible to direct a person to enjoin a new kind of sacrifice. Instead, Paul called them brothers as one would discuss a matter around a family meal. Then he tells them that if they comply, it is a reasonable way to perform service toward the Lord. From advice to practice, what does it mean when put into practice?
While we are alive and wanting to serve God, we can be thrust into a situation that is not necessarily a public event. This type of sacrifice is likely a matter between the believer and his Lord. It originates when the Holy Spirit lays a divine concern on a person’s heart. This could be to stop, control a habit like swearing or doubting or jealousy. It could involve a favorite sin that is relative to lust. It takes a real effort to bring one’s thoughts or desires under the Spirit’s control. Anyone that has lived a life of physical gratification will testify that to sacrifice those ambitions is a genuine sacrifice as designed by the Almighty. To resist carnal temptations can be a constant stance to not sin.
The Bible says we become a new creation through Christ at the point of conversion. That does not necessarily mean the old life is obliterated. It means God has related his desires for us to live a clean and healthy life that is not complicated by extracurricular worldly activities. This is why Paul tells us we must daily crucify Self. It can be a hard sell to a new Christian for him to turn from his old ways to a completely new way of thinking.
To be a living sacrifice is to dominate our thinking and behaving that could be acceptable to God. It is to live by a new standard. This effort is so difficult that it demands ongoing oversight. It can be a success only by the mercies of God because he understands our nature. By publishing ourselves to become holy is reasonable, not because it is easy, but because it takes dedication. The answer to this intent is to avoid the ways of the world.
The spiritual transformation must by a whole new way of thinking. We cannot rationalize so that we can give ourselves permission to “fall off the (spiritual) wagon.” The result is a constantly growing believer who can undergo the sight of God’s holiness and perfection. Our new goal is to live before God in such a way that it is acceptable to him. It is to live so that we make him proud of us.
Christian Writer 