Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

Under the old covenant God required a sacrifice in order to make atonement for sins. Under the new covenant, Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice with His own blood, and so there is no longer a requirement for the sacrificial lamb. But in this verse, Paul tells us to make a decisive dedication of our bodies as a living sacrifice. God no longer has any use of a dead offering. However, he does have use of a living sacrifice - a person that is willing to lay down everything and do what His will is.

God needs you. He needs ALL of you - not just a part. This is what Paul is talking about. Are there things that you are withholding from God? Many people think of worship as simply singing songs during a church service. But Paul tells us that offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (giving everything to God everyday) is true spiritual worship. Ask God if there is anything that you have not given totally to Him, and then be willing to offer everything you have to Him as a living sacrifice.