God requires that we follow in this same pattern of total surrender and obedience
to His will. This is what pleases God. Our lives must be different from those of the
people around us who do not know God, who are not in a saving relationship with
Christ. Our lives must exude that sweet smelling aroma of a life lived for God, a
living, holy and acceptable sacrifice.
We are not without example. The Father of our Faith, and his son Isaac, showed
us the perfect example of sacrifice: Leaving his home to a land God would show
him, not knowing where that was or what he would find; believing he and Sarah
would have offspring even though they were old and barren; the great test on Mt.
Moriah, and a life of consistent obedience.
Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, modelled for us a life of ultimate
sacrifice and perfect obedience, a life ‘well pleasing’ to God. Of His Son, the Father
testified that He was ‘well pleased’ (Matthew 17:5).
Living sacrifices- The Offspring
In calling us to be living sacrifices, God makes us know that this is a continuous
process, not a one-off activity or event. Every day with Jesus is every day as a
living sacrifice. It is the only way we can be ‘holy and pleasing’ to the Lord. It is
the only way we can maintain our ‘true and proper worship.’
It means being conscious of; every word, every thought, every action, every
attitude and perception, every interaction and engagement, and bringing it all into
obedience unto Christ.
It means approaching life one day at a time, making every effort to make each day
count for God: To be productive, pleasing and acceptable to Him in all that I am
and do today – as long as it is called today. To bear every pain, joy, blessing,
sorrow, burden, everything that comes our way, in a manner that brings joy and
glory to God each day. To carry myself like a child of the Kingdom, like a prince /
princess, like a king. To reflect the Kingdom and the glory of Christ. To be an
ambassador who needs not be ashamed when the King appears.
2 Corinthians 5: 20 - 21 says: ‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were
making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.