Paul’s exhortation to the Romans to present their bodies as a living sacrifice is one of the most well-known and profound passages in Scripture. Yet what exactly does it mean to be a living sacrifice? This critical verse contains a wealth of meaning for how followers of Christ are called to live.
The Background of Romans 12:1
To fully understand Romans 12:1, we must first look at the context surrounding it. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans to introduce himself and share the gospel message with the church in Rome (Romans 1:1-17). In chapters 1-11, Paul lays out the doctrinal truths of sin, salvation, and righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
Then in chapter 12, Paul shifts gears to focus on the practical outworking of these theological truths. He begs the Roman believers to live in light of the great mercies of God revealed in the gospel by presenting themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). This verse marks a turning point in the book from doctrine to duty, belief to behavior, and theology to practice.
The Meaning of “Present Your Bodies”
When Paul urges believers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice,” the word ‘present’ is a temple term meaning to offer something to God. Under the Old Covenant, priests would present animal sacrifices on the altar to God as offerings for sin. But now Christ’s death on the cross has fulfilled these animal sacrifices once and for all (Hebrews 10:1-18).
So what are we to offer God now? Paul says we can present our very selves – our bodies – to God as sacrifices. Not in dying, but in living for Him each day. This means every part of us – our hands, feet, mouths, minds, and hearts – are available for God’s service and glory.
The Significance of “Living Sacrifice”
Under the old sacrificial system, animals were killed on the altar. But Paul says we are to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices.” This is counterintuitive, but it contains great significance.
First, it elevates the dignity and value of Christ’s sacrifice. His death accomplished what the death of animals never could (Hebrews 10:4). Second, whereas old sacrifices were dead, we have the privilege of presenting ourselves to God each day in free service to Him. Thirdly, “living” implies vitality, not passively waiting for death. As living sacrifices, we honor God most not by dying but by vibrantly living for Him each day.
The Motivation of Romans 12:1
What motivates us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices? Paul points to “the mercies of God” – His compassion, forgiveness, redemption, and adoption shown to us through Christ even though we don’t deserve it (Romans 11:30-12:1). God’s abundant mercy realized in the gospel is the fuel that ignites us to gratefully live as sacrifices to Him.
Knowing the depth of God’s love compels us to love Him back through sacrificial dedication of our lives to Him. Our commitment to sacrificial service flows from reverent, thankful hearts for the mercy He poured out on us.
The Point of a Living Sacrifice
The purpose of offering ourselves as living sacrifices is twofold:
1) To worship and glorify God instead of conforming to the patterns of this world. As sacrifices, we deny our own desires to pursue God’s (Romans 12:2).
2) To serve God with the gifts He has given us. The rest of Romans 12 describes how we are to live as sacrifices practically through humble service and loving one another (Romans 12:3-21).
Examples of Living Sacrifices
Throughout history, many saints have inspiringly modeled what it means to live as sacrifices for Christ.
Jim Elliot
Missionary Jim Elliot memorably stated: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Elliot presented his body as a living sacrifice when he and four other missionaries were speared to death while trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador in 1956.
William Tyndale
William Tyndale dedicated his life to translating the Bible into English so common people could read God’s Word. His life motto was “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” He was strangled and burned at the stake in 1536 for his faithful labor.
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa presented her body as a living sacrifice through decades of serving the poorest of the poor in the slums of Kolkata, India. She embodied sacrifice, humility, and service until her death in 1997.
Our Own Lives
While not all of us will be called to make the ultimate sacrifice like these heroes of the faith, we are all called to daily choose sacrifice in how we use our time, resources, gifts, and energy wholly for God’s purposes.
This might mean sacrificing aspirations of wealth, comfort, worldly success, or self-realization to instead invest our lives in serving God, loving people, and advancing His kingdom. God’s mercies toward us compel us to commit our bodies to live sacrificially for Him.
How to Live as a Living Sacrifice
Living sacrificially begins with presenting ourselves fully to God. From that starting point, here are practical ways we can actively live as living sacrifices:
– Spend time daily in God’s presence through prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and listening to His voice. Abide in Him (John 15:1-8).
– Use our spiritual gifts and talents to build up the church and advance God’s kingdom rather than for selfish gain (1 Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:12).
– Generously give our financial resources to support missionary work, church planting, acts of mercy, and spreading the gospel (2 Corinthians 8-9).
– Serve the needs of others with compassion (Matthew 25:31-46, Galatians 5:13).
– Share the gospel and make disciples in fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
– Die to selfish desires that hinder us from fully pursuing God’s will (Luke 9:23).
– Offer all relationships and roles – as spouses, parents, children, employers, employees – sacrificially as service to God (Ephesians 5:22-6:9).
– Use our time, skills, and influence redemptively in the world for God’s glory rather than pursuing worldly aims (Matthew 5:13-16).
– Persevere in doing good and resisting sin even when it’s costly or difficult (Romans 12:21, Hebrews 12:1-4).
Of course, living this way is impossible in our own strength. We can only live as true living sacrifices through Christ’s power at work within us (Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 2:20). As we offer ourselves fully to God and rely on His Spirit working in us, He transforms us increasingly into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Becoming a Living Sacrifice in Community
Importantly, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is not just an individual pursuit – it’s a community calling. Paul addresses all the Roman believers when he urges them to live sacrificially (Romans 12:1). We need encouragement, accountability, and examples from fellow Christians to persevere in lifestyles of sacrifice.
We were never meant to follow Christ alone. Living sacrificially involves using our gifts to build up others in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7, Romans 12:4-8). We apresent ourselves to God collectively as His temple, being built together into a dwelling place for His presence (Ephesians 2:19-22). The sacrificial life is lived out in loving communion with other believers for God’s glory.
The Blessings of a Sacrificial Life
Though sacrificial living requires denying ourselves and bearing our cross, it brings great blessing:
– Joy in pleasing and glorifying God above all else (Psalm 40:6-8)
– Clear conscience and sense of purpose from living according to God’s will (Acts 24:16, Romans 12:2)
– Eternal rewards for faithful service (Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Corinthians 3:8,14)
– Fulfillment in using our gifts to build God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:21, 1 Timothy 6:18-19)
– Knowing Christ more intimately as we share in His sufferings (Philippians 3:10)
– Growth in Christlike character through the Spirit’s work in us (Romans 8:29, Galatians 5:22-23)
Far from being dreary drudgery, sacrificial living brings inexpressible joy and satisfaction as we experience God working mightily through us. Our sacrifice for Christ also results in praise and thanksgiving to God for His surpassing mercy and grace toward us (2 Corinthians 4:15, 9:12-13).
Romans 12:1 Fosters a Life Well-Lived
Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is a shining example of what it means to really live. Worldly patterns tempt us toward self-centeredness, indulgence, and wasting our lives on temporal things that burn up like wood and hay.
But as living sacrifices, we experience life to the fullest through investing ourselves in what lasts for eternity – bringing glory to God, serving others, and building Christ’s kingdom. We stop chasing shimmering illusions of the world and instead live out the purpose for which we were made – wholehearted service to our gracious, merciful God.
