Benefits of Being a Living Sacrifice
The benefits of being a living sacrifice aren’t always obvious. Just the words living sacrifice sound scary.
First, you can’t be lazy and expect to be a living sacrifice. God’s glory never appears in a church full of idle people. If they focus on slothfulness, they aren’t spiritual. If a believer doesn’t let the Holy Spirit change them, they become carnal and live conformed to the world’s standards.
How many believers do you know who are like that? Probably a lot. This short living sacrifice sermon provides insights on being a living sacrifice to God.
Benefits of Being a Living Sacrifice: You Live a Better Life
This scripture explains how that’s possible.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal. “The Lord knows those who are His,” “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”
Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common).
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work (Emphasis mine).
A vessel of honor means you’re consecrated—set apart—holy. This doesn’t happen overnight or slowly seep into your spirit similar to osmosis. God sees believers as righteous because of what Jesus did and not anything they’ve done.
Jesus’ blood cleansed us from sin (our living sacrifice). Because believers live in a body that wants to sin we must diligently and continually rid ourselves of evil tendencies to turn away from God.
It takes a few simple steps to learn how to be a living sacrifice for God.
Benefits of Being a Living Sacrifice: You Let Scripture Guide You
—You get to know God intimately.
Romans 12:1 (AMP)
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice. Holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.
Every time you do that (dedicate yourself fully), you worship God.
—You purposely run from sin because you belong to God.
Your spirit is sensitive to the things of God and pleasing Him is uppermost in your mind. You become a vessel of honor in everything you do and say.
—You renew your mind.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Your holy and well-pleasing offer to God allows you to continually worship Him as you train your flesh to submit to His Lordship empowering the Holy Spirit to flow through you. Yes, being a living sacrifice involves service, worship, and renewal.
—You put God first and life gets better.
You either do that or you don’t. There’s no gray area here. Have you ever lived your life as a part-time Christian? It didn’t feel good, did it?
—You trade natural for superntural.
Doing so is an act of obedience to crucify the flesh and permit Jesus to be the Lord in your life.
1 Peter 4:1-2
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God]. Because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world]. He can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God.
The process is simple and what I just listed isn’t a complete list. Just know your efforts to be a living sacrifice reap huge rewards.
How to Be a Living Sacrifice for God
- When you get close to God (on purpose), He builds you up (on purpose). To live in this sin-laden world takes spiritual strength and fortitude which none of us can fake. God is the real deal and has answers to every problem. Truth be told, God is the only Counselor a believer should consult.
- People notice something different about you when you’re a living sacrifice. They might see God’s peace and hopefully all 9 fruit of the Spirit. Living a holy life is the best witness for your faith and you haven’t opened your mouth once.
- Living free from sin affects all aspects of your life—body, mind, and spirit—positively. Who doesn’t want to be happy, healthy, and whole?
- You determine what God’s will is. God doesn’t hide His will as some may think. What’s usually the case is people give up too soon. The reason? Living a Christian life in a dark world isn’t exactly easy.
As you know, you have an enemy determined to stop you. Call him satan, the devil, or whatever you want but he relentlessly pursues Christians. His objective is for you to give up, stop serving God, and live a defeated life.
He presents convoluted truth because he’s the one defeated. He knows that but hopes you don’t. So, he deposits lies into your spirit. If you believe what he says, you start to have strong desires for other things instead of God your source of strength and glory.
If that happens to you, yield to the Holy Spirit and let Him teach you TO LIKE being a living sacrifice. Then, do what He tells you! Through His power, you can defeat the adversary and tame your flesh when it rises up to rule your spirit.
You are a living sacrifice to God every time you offer yourself to Him in love and service.