Romans 12:1 What Is Your "Living Sacrifice"?

I have pondered over this verse of Scripture for many years. After my morning Bible study and prayer to my Lord, this morning, which includes this verse, I decided to come to a conclusion of just what does it mean to "present my body to God as a living sacrifice"....This is what it means to me.

I stand on the "Altar of God" where there has not been a slain animal sacrificed for centuries. And with a grateful heart in praise to Jesus for my redemption. I proceed from there with the intent to do all my "works" motivated by the love of Jesus to me, to do all for the Glory of Jesus and His Father.

How about you? What does this Verse mean to you?
 
To me this verse means to give up my wants and desires, conforming my life to whatever He desires of me. He has given me talents, and i choose to submit to His ways...forsaking my own and use my talents for His glory. I may not be perfect, but i sure can keep getting back up and keep moving forward.

Blessings to you and yours!
 
I see 'a living sacrifice' in these verses from Colossians 3:
3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ

in God.
4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then
shall ye also appear with him in glory.

For me, a living sacrifice is one who has embraced the revelation that
they have died with Jesus in his sacrifice, and HE lives through them.
 
What I glean is "living sacrifice" as opposed to a dead sacrifice. In Isaiah chapter 1
11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.
12 “When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.


16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;

These dead sacrifices God does not desire anymore. Verses 16-19 describe the living sacrifice. Turn away from evil, actively do good. Willing and obedient says it all.
God does not want required sacrifice. Our willing sacrifice out of love is what He desires. The same attitude Jesus had giving of himself as a sacrifice.
 
What I glean is "living sacrifice" as opposed to a dead sacrifice. In Isaiah chapter 1
11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.
12 “When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.


16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;

These dead sacrifices God does not desire anymore. Verses 16-19 describe the living sacrifice. Turn away from evil, actively do good. Willing and obedient says it all.
God does not want required sacrifice. Our willing sacrifice out of love is what He desires. The same attitude Jesus had giving of himself as a sacrifice.

I like your post very much Mr. Moose. You get my Home Run!
 
Offering your body to God as a "living" sacrifice is what the "spirit" man inside the body offers to God. Man is NOT his body but the inward man who is a spirit.
A spirit man offering to God a slain dead body for which God to fill with His Spirit to use for his glory on this earth. If Christ be in you then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
 
To keep walking away from sin.
To keep dedicating my ways to submit to His way.
Trust me, I've had to crash before the cross of Christ many times, and likely will always do, but I like it that way as He is my God, my King and my Lord.
 
I just thought of another huge sacrifice...... submitting my mouth or words to God. Causing my mouth to only speak His Words and getting my thoughts and words to line up with His Word.
 
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