Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1b
"present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

While no burnt offering or animal sacrifice ever pleased or appeased God - never made anyone Holy to God - neither will our living sacrifice. Faith alone by the grace of God is the only way of salvation. However here, Paul compares and contrasts the dead sacrifices of the old covenant with the living sacrifices of the new covenant. Since we have been made alive in Christ (that is our spirit) we must daily sacrifice and die in the flesh. Our living sacrifice is therefor not a means of salvation but a means of living out and enjoying the fullness of life found in identifying with the sacrifice of Christ! We are not holy because of our sacrifice but because of His - and His gifts and callings are irrevocable! I am made holy and acceptable by the blood of Christ and therefore to daily die to self, to sacrifice my flesh, is the only reasonable response. To die is to live.

Father, renew my mind each day by Your word and Spirit that I may sacrifice my flesh and live for You. Amen.