A LIVING SACRIFICE

A LIVING SACRIFICE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 12:1-2

Key Verse: "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." (Romans 12:1, KJV)

Supporting Texts: Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 3:1-10; 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Description: Every believer is called to respond to God's mercy by offering every aspect of life to Him in wholehearted devotion, holiness, and continual transformation.

INTRODUCTION
Romans 12 marks a significant turning point in Paul's letter. After explaining the great doctrines of sin, salvation, justification, sanctification, and God's sovereign plan for Israel and the Gentiles, Paul now focuses on the practical responsibilities of every believer. Christian doctrine must always lead to Christian living. Those who have experienced God's mercy must demonstrate it through lives of obedience and worship.

Paul urges believers to present themselves as living sacrifices. Unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament, believers are called to offer themselves continually to God. Every thought, word, action, ambition, possession, and relationship should be surrendered to His Lordship. This is not an occasional act but a daily lifestyle of complete dedication.

The Apostle also warns against conformity to the world's values and encourages believers to experience continual transformation through the renewing of their minds. A transformed mind produces a transformed life, enabling Christians to discern and fulfil God's good, acceptable, and perfect will.

1. PRESENT YOUR LIFE AS A LIVING SACRIFICE
God deserves complete surrender because of His abundant mercy.

a) Respond To God's Mercy (Romans 12:1)
Our surrender is a grateful response to God's saving grace rather than an attempt to earn His favour.

b) Offer Your Entire Life To God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Every part of your life belongs to God because you have been bought with the precious blood of Christ.

c) Live A Holy Life (1 Peter 1:15-16)
God calls His people to reflect His holiness in character, conduct, and speech.

d) Serve God Wholeheartedly (Colossians 3:23-24)
True worship is demonstrated through faithful and joyful service to the Lord.

Biblical Example: Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). Although God ultimately provided a substitute, Isaac's willingness to be offered demonstrated complete surrender and trust in God's purposes.

2. REFUSE TO CONFORM TO THE WORLD
Believers are called to live differently from the sinful patterns of society.

a) Reject Worldly Values (Romans 12:2)
Do not allow the culture around you to shape your beliefs, priorities, or behaviour.

b) Choose Holiness Over Compromise (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
God calls His people to be distinct and separated unto Him.

c) Guard Your Heart And Mind (Proverbs 4:23)
The condition of your heart determines the direction of your life.

d) Walk As Children Of Light (Ephesians 5:8-11)
Believers should reflect Christ's character in every area of life.

Biblical Example: Daniel (Daniel 1:8). Daniel refused to defile himself with the king's provisions and remained faithful to God despite living in a pagan culture.

3. EXPERIENCE THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND
Transformation begins from within through God's Word and the Holy Spirit.

a) Renew Your Mind Daily (Romans 12:2)
Continual exposure to God's Word changes the way believers think and live.

b) Think According To Scripture (Philippians 4:8)
Filling the mind with godly thoughts produces righteous actions.

c) Allow The Holy Spirit To Transform You (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The Spirit progressively changes believers into the likeness of Christ.

d) Grow In Spiritual Maturity (Colossians 3:9-10)
Putting on the new self enables believers to reflect Christ more fully.

Biblical Example: Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:38). Mary's willingness to accept God's plan revealed a mind surrendered to His will despite the personal cost.

4. DISCOVER AND LIVE IN GOD'S PERFECT WILL
A surrendered and transformed life enables believers to fulfil God's purpose.

a) Seek God's Will Above Your Own (Matthew 6:33)
Making God's Kingdom your priority leads to a life of divine purpose.

b) Walk In Obedience (John 14:15)
Love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commands.

c) Trust God's Direction (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God faithfully guides those who rely upon Him rather than their own understanding.

d) Finish Your Assignment Faithfully (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Remain committed to God's calling until the very end of your Christian journey.

Biblical Example: Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus humbled Himself completely, obeyed the Father's will even unto death, and became the perfect example of total surrender.

CONCLUSION
Romans 12:1-2 teaches that the proper response to God's mercy is complete surrender. A living sacrifice is not merely someone who attends church but one who daily yields every area of life to God's authority. Such a believer refuses to conform to the world's standards, embraces continual transformation through God's Word, and lives to accomplish God's perfect will.

Therefore, let every believer examine his or her life before the Lord. Offer yourself afresh to God each day, renew your mind through Scripture, and walk in joyful obedience to His commands. As you become a living sacrifice, your life will become a testimony of God's grace, holiness, and transforming power to a watching world.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for Your abundant mercy and for calling me into a life of complete surrender, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to present my life daily as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable unto You, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from every worldly influence that seeks to draw me away from Your will, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, renew my mind continually through Your Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to walk in holiness and reflect the character of Jesus Christ every day, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, teach me to trust Your will above my own desires and ambitions, in Jesus name.

7. Father, strengthen me to obey You completely even when obedience requires personal sacrifice, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let my life become a true act of worship that brings glory to Your holy name, in Jesus name.

9. Father, empower me to fulfil the divine purpose You have prepared for my life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, grant me the grace to remain faithful until I finish my Christian race victoriously, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually live as a holy and acceptable sacrifice before the Lord.

2. Every worldly influence seeking to corrupt your walk with God shall lose its power over your life.

3. The Holy Spirit shall renew your mind daily and transform you into the image of Christ.

4. You shall discern God's good, acceptable, and perfect will in every decision you make.

5. The Lord shall strengthen you to walk in unwavering obedience to His Word.

6. You shall overcome every temptation that seeks to hinder your spiritual growth.

7. Your life shall continually reflect the holiness, love, and power of Jesus Christ.

8. God shall use you as a vessel of honour to bless many lives and advance His Kingdom.

9. Every step you take shall be ordered by the Lord, and you shall fulfil His purpose for your life.

10. From this day forward, you shall remain wholly surrendered to God, walk in continual transformation, fulfil His perfect will with joy, finish your Christian race faithfully, and receive the eternal reward prepared for you, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.