What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?
Romans 12:1 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.
2 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.
First of all it is something we must do by our own decision, not FATHER’S. If we could not do it then Paul would not have charged us to do so thus he urges us to do so and he assures us that FATHER’S mercy will enable us to do so. But in the end, it is our choice.
A sacrifice is one who is willing to give up some form of life for a cause yet in this case we are to be “living” not dead. We must die to our flesh and by HIS mercy we can fulfill this charge. The carnal man will try to talk you out of taking on the attributes of a living sacrifice because as you do you will no longer satisfy the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. On the contrary you will take on the qualities of Christ, our elder brother.
But how? Paul tells us that we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind and it is done by “proving” what is good, acceptable, and perfect. To prove means:
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to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
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to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
These three areas of proving can be assigned to the Divine Intent of the three feasts: Passover (good), Pentecost (acceptable), and Tabernacles (perfect). Those of us who are committed to be “perfected” by FATHER in order that we may be fully matured for the purpose of being among the Elect who minister to all of mankind, have no issue with becoming living sacrifices. This is a daily process, even a moment by moment process and we embrace the opportunity. We must focus on being led by the Holy Spirit all day, every day, and in each circumstance that arises. This is one aspect of being a living sacrifice.
We are called to live in moderation. We should not indulge ourselves to the extreme in any area. Our flesh wants to move us toward an extreme in the area of a natural weakness. Excess in any area is an indication that you are not yet walking as a holy, acceptable living sacrifice. Drinking in excess, hoarding, extreme sports, constant focus on world events, and even persistent isolation are all examples of areas that may need to be dealt with.
Hoarding of money is greed and I know how easy people get offended when you bring up the topic of giving. I have learned personally that as I focus on giving, I place myself in a position to be blessed by a Loving FATHER Who sees my intent of Love to be a blessing. This is the simple law of seedtime and harvest. What a farmer plants is what he harvests. If you give with a motivation of Love, you will be blessed in the same manner. In general, Love was the missing ingredient when people were being taught the reality of this law back in the faith movement. You must understand that every seed on earth has the Divine Intent of Love which causes it to produce fruit.
Jesus provide us as the example of being a sacrifice:
Ephesian 5:
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Are you a giver or a taker? Are you looking for ways to give to others or are you looking for ways to exploit, extract, and consume? You must become a fruit inspector of your own life and determine if you are moving toward being a living sacrifice, pleasing to FATHER. I am not here to tickle your ears with some prophecy. The future is in FATHER’S Hands. I am not here to rationalize away why it is acceptable to continue down a path that leads to destruction. There are those of us who are committed to ascend unto all Truth and we must set aside the former doctrines and traditions and move when HIS Glory and Presence moves. To be a living sacrifice requires an internal change first, not external acts. Your intent determines the outcome in FATHER’S Eyes.
My deepest desire is that all who read these words will be led to follow THE WAY to FATHER. Jesus Christ IS THE WAY. That is why it is so critical to embrace Love as your foundation and see everyone through the eyes of Love. When this happens, you no longer have reservations about giving, whether it be time, commitment, money, goods, or anything else that meets a need. When FATHER says to give, you give. Whatever HE moves you to do, you do. This is what it means to be a Holy, acceptable living sacrifice. Is your fruit ready to be inspected? Jesus stated in Matthew 12:
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”