As I work towards the completion of our Sunday morning bible class, I anticipate learning anew about the sacrificial system and how it points mankind to Christ, even today. Christ died “when we were still without strength” (Romans 5:6, NIV, says powerless) so that man could have the chance to be justified by His blood (Romans 5:9). Christ’s sacrifice was timely (Romans 5:6) and intentional (John 10:18). There are so many things we will learn as this year progresses.
As I thought about things, I wondered how I can make the connection between the present class we are doing and the one we will soon start. Then I was reminded of this verse (Romans 12:1), which speaks of our willingness to be “living sacrifices” offered up to God.
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.
Romans 12:1
This task is intentional, for we are to “take up his cross daily” to follow Him (Luke 9:23). The cost of being a living sacrifice can be high, but the rewards far out-way any cost that one might experience (Matthew 19:29). We are involved in a daily sacrificial lifestyle where we offer our lives to Him because He gave His life for us.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and gave Himself for us,
An offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:2
Now, some application to our Sunday morning bible class. Our calling, in this life, as living sacrifices, is to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1), walking in this life, just as He did (1st John 2:6). The one-another verses we are learning about are “aspects of sacrifice” in a disciple’s life. I hesitate to say that, because the urge to create that list lurks within me. But what if I view the one another verses as a sort of mosaic picture of Jesus, as He walked this earth? These verses then become a means by which I can better understand what it means to imitate Him. Thus, they are no longer used as a check list, but instead, as building blocks from above, as God molds me into His image. Help us Lord, to be like You! Dennis
