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A Living Sacrifice

A Living Sacrifice

Published Apr 11, 2018 | Women Mentoring WomenTerri Jenkin 

Recently, I was listening to a news report asking the question, “What have you given up?”  They were referring to the season of Lent.  Sugar, Coke, and cheeseburgers were just a few of things mentioned.

I began to think about what Jesus Christ gave up. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who laid down His life for the sins of the world. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God (Heb. 10:12). Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice. I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:15).  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour (Eph. 5:1-2).

There are numerous areas of sacrifice: the sacrifice of praise, the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the sacrifice of time, the sacrifice of money, the sacrifice of family, but the umbrella over all is the sacrifice of self!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Rom. 12:1). Surrendering ourselves, all we are, all we have and all we can do for God as one who is alive from the dead.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matt.16:24).  We are to abdicate our self-dependence and selfish pursuits.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart [love] and with all thy soul (will), and with all thy mind [reason], and with all thy strength [body] (Mark 12:30).  Our sacrifice must be wholehearted and complete.

My challenge: Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord (Psalms 4:5).  Sacrifice requires trust. Confidence that He will faithfully lead us down a better course than we could have set for ourselves. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5).