GIVING GOD THE GLORY
"A living sacrifice" is one sacrifice that seems to represent a lifestyle that includes all the others. It is quite well-known and is found in Paul's letter to the Romans.
But less well-known is it's context. This includes all of Romans 11 and culminates with the great words of 11'33 to 12'2:
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?”
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service,
and do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God," Romans 11'33 to 12'2.
Notice the word "therefore". It means "because these things are so". He is saying because this is the way these things are".
And because they are "... of God and through God and to God" Paul makes his appeal, calling for a sacrifice. One that is initial and that is ongoing.
It's initial as a prayer of commitment. Offering the body, based on the teachings of immersion in water (see Romans 6 and Colossians 2).
It's ongoing as a daily intention to be transformed by the renewal of the mind by letting the Word of Christ dwell within (Colossians 3'16-17).
This is living and giving every day in the mercies and the grace of God, "to whom be glory forever. Amen".
::
"I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live;
yet not I,
but Christ lives in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me,
and gave himself for me,"
Galatians 2'20 KJV.
::
"Now may the God of peace
who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
make you complete in every good work to do His will,
working in you what is well pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 13'20-21
Α-Ω
Prayer. Heavenly Father, thank you for the all-sufficient sacrifice of your Son. And for the great privilege of being able to offer you spiritual sacrifices.
And thank you, too, for the gracious power of the Holy Spirit in assisting Believers to have renewed minds, live transformed enjoying Kingdom life in your will and way.
In Jesus' name. Amen.