A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 reads: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." "Therefore" (v. 1a) establishes a connection with the entire first eleven chapters of Romans. Those eleven chapters clearly presented "the mercies of God" (v. 1a) to us. That mercy has to do with our salvation. "Therefore" (v. 1a), because the Lord has saved us, our lives must change.

"Beseech" (v. 1a) or "urge" (NASB) is from the Greek word parakaleo, which has the basic meaning of coming alongside in order to help or give aid. It later came to mean exhorting, admonishing, or encouraging. The force of the word lies somewhere between commanding and beseeching. It possesses something of the element of authority that is more forcefully expressed by "command," and has in it something of the element of appeal that is best expressed by "beseech." Hence, the KJV and NKJV rendering: "I beseech you therefore, brethren" (v. 1a).

Essentially, Paul not only strongly urges us as to how we ought to live as believers, but by all respects, he gives us a command. It is not optional. Paul wanted to come alongside his fellow believers to strongly encourage them to fulfill the inner desire of their new hearts—to dedicate themselves without reservation to their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is what the word "present" (v. 1a) means. It means to "yield" or "offer" (NIV). In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), "present" was often used as a technical term for a priest's placing an offering on the altar. It therefore carried the general idea of surrendering or yielding up. Here it is an imperative or a command. As members of God's "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), you are here commanded to perform what is essentially a priestly act of worship.

The word "present" (Rom. 12:1a) is actually what is called a final infinitive, meaning the final purpose. According to Colossians 1:21-22, the final purpose of our reconciliation through the death of Christ is "to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight" (v. 22b). "Blameless" (v. 22b) or "without blemish" (NIV) is "a technical sacrificial term... used of animals that were without flaw and therefore worthy of being offered to God" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 187). The reference then, is not to our personal conduct but to our position in Christ. Through faith in Christ you stand holy and blameless before God and you will be holy and blameless when He takes you home to glory—it is final.

In Romans 12:1, the final purpose of our reconciliation (or salvation) is to "present" yourself in total devotion to God. Because you are holy and blameless in His sight, you are worthy to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God" (v. 1b). The former animal sacrifices of Israel were dead sacrifices that had no lasting value. The new sacrifice is a "living sacrifice" (v. 1b), your body or your entire self. You have been set apart to be "holy" (v. 1b), a reference to being set apart for a special purpose. You have been set apart for God—consecrated to Him for His service. Let the righteousness of Christ dwell in you. Give yourself completely unto the Lord each day, letting Him work through you. That is what is "acceptable" (v. 1b) or "pleasing to God" (NIV).

"This is your reasonable service" (v. 1b) or "your spiritual service of worship" (NASB) or "your true and proper worship" (NIV). God isn't interested in the ceremonial acts, like animal sacrifices. He is interested in a living and perpetual sacrifice—the giving of yourself to worship Him, walk with Him daily, and to serve Him in whatever way He leads. This sacrifice of yourself to God is never to be neglected or recalled. It is a day to day, moment to moment sacrifice. Obedient lives is our only "reasonable" (v. 1b) response to God.

Surrender to God all your hopes, plans, and everything that is precious to you. That is what the Lord asks of you. Give all of yourself to Him. Be fully devoted to the Lord and watch Him work in your life. Amen.