- Read: Roman 12:1-8
- Memorize: Romans 12:1
Only priests can interact with God and only priests can offer sacrifices to him. This was true in the Old Testament, and it remains true today. In the Old Testament, only a select few from the tribe of Levi, and specifically from the family of Aaron, could serve as priests; now all believers have the privilege of serving as a priest, (1 Pet 2:5,9) which allows us to pray directly to God, to fellowship with him and to offer sacrifices. In the Old Testament, priests offered sacrifices to ask forgiveness for sin, sacrifices to pay the penalty for the sin and also free will offerings of thanksgiving. In the New Testament we have four types of sacrifice to offer: the sacrifice of giving, the sacrifice of praise, (Heb 13:15-16) the sacrifice of proclaiming the gospel, (Rom 15:14-16) and finally the living sacrifice.
You should notice that none of the four pertain to sin or guilt. That is because Jesus' death on the cross was the once and for all sacrifice which paid for our sin, providing forgiveness. Of the four sacrifices we can give, each of the first three are ongoing sacrifices that we offer over and over, but the living sacrifice is a one time thing. Once we offer our lives to God, we cannot take them back. Once we have offered them though, we have an ongoing responsibility to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (vs. 2)
Paul must have known that the Roman church would wonder the same thing that we do: what does a living sacrifice look like? How do we do it? He explains that the first part is to humbly recognize that our life is not our own, so it belongs to God. The second part is that however God wants our lives used, that's how we should use them. If God has equipped us to teach or prophesy*, we should teach or prophesy; if he has given us the gift of encouraging or serving, then we should encourage or serve wholeheartedly; and if he has put us in a position where we can give money or meet the needs of others, then we should do that joyfully.
The bottom line is this; if we have offered ourselves as living sacrifices, then our very lives should be lived to benefit others according to our gifts, with the purpose of bringing God glory.
Comment:
You should notice that none of the four pertain to sin or guilt. That is because Jesus' death on the cross was the once and for all sacrifice which paid for our sin, providing forgiveness. Of the four sacrifices we can give, each of the first three are ongoing sacrifices that we offer over and over, but the living sacrifice is a one time thing. Once we offer our lives to God, we cannot take them back. Once we have offered them though, we have an ongoing responsibility to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (vs. 2)
Paul must have known that the Roman church would wonder the same thing that we do: what does a living sacrifice look like? How do we do it? He explains that the first part is to humbly recognize that our life is not our own, so it belongs to God. The second part is that however God wants our lives used, that's how we should use them. If God has equipped us to teach or prophesy*, we should teach or prophesy; if he has given us the gift of encouraging or serving, then we should encourage or serve wholeheartedly; and if he has put us in a position where we can give money or meet the needs of others, then we should do that joyfully.
The bottom line is this; if we have offered ourselves as living sacrifices, then our very lives should be lived to benefit others according to our gifts, with the purpose of bringing God glory.
Comment:
- Why is it important that all believers are priests?
- What parts of your life are a result of offering yourself as a living sacrifice?
*To prophesy means to speak forth truth. Sometimes in the Bible the truth is a prediction of the future, but this gift is the gift of speaking forth the truth as revealed in the Bible. If you want a further study of this, please let me know.
1. It's important because it means people can talk to god directley and have a personnel relationship with him.
ReplyDelete2. Having good friends (I found out they were christian after we'ed been hanging out for a while), great gifts that God has given me, and being able to go places where Ican learn more about him.
1.It is important because since we are believers we should speak about Him and tell people about Him.
ReplyDelete2.To follow his ways and lead others to Him.
1) It brings us closer to God by allowing us to keep in contact with him with a direct "911 phone line."
ReplyDelete2)Basic things like helping around the house or giving someone a ride (I do that a lot) somewhere. Anything that makes you go out of your way for someone.