"A LIVING SACRIFICE"
By: Evangelist Timothy Silcott

Romans 12:1 states, "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."

As I reflect on this verse, I remember the biblical account of Abraham. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his dearly beloved son. Without hesitation, the next morning Abraham left with Isaac to follow God to an unknown destination to sacrifice his most loved son.

Abraham loved his son, but he loved his God far more. His love was not an abstract statement, nor an overwhelming feeling. No, Abraham's love was active. So, Abraham and Isaac traveled to the mountain, climbed it, and built an altar. Then Abraham placed Isaac on the altar, bound his son, and raised his knife. But before the son was scarfed, God spoke and provided a ram in his place.

Then, years later, Paul wrote to the believers at Rome and begged each believer to offer up a living sacrifice of himself. This sacrifice, like Abraham's, is an act of love and an act of will.

Today, this plea sounds forth. Present your bodies a living sacrifice...Will I sacrifice to God my life without delay? Will I, like Abraham, do it without delay? Will I follow God and sacrifice my most beloved ambitions and desires? Will I choose to do what He plans, to go where He leads, to go when He asks?

WILL I OFFER MYSELF A LIVING SACRIFICE?