Living sacrifices

[Gail]

This concept has always fascinated me:

Quote:

Romans 12:1

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.

What does that entail for YOU, to present your bodies a living sacrifice?

Now with my study of the sanctuary this has deepened in my mind recently and it still blows me away.

[12tribes]

The sacrifices that were used were all without blemish so it is a call to be in Christ cause in Him is no condemnation

[Gibs]

Gail,

We need to add more verses to catch the context of what he is meaning. It really isn't a "surface" read.

Ro 12:1 ¶ 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.

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Ro 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

We each have a battle to be won that is our part to do.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gail]

The picture that I was getting was of a lamb who, without saying a word, submitted to God's will for them.

What do the verses tell YOU? Looking forward to your reply!

[Gail]

Quote:

We each have a battle to be won that is our part to do.

Good! And what is our part?

[Gibs]

Back to Gail,

Yes we are His lambs and too we are His witnesses and each one is one of the members that make up His Spiritual Body, His Bride.

On our part I see it the same and have made close to the same explanation EGW does but since this to SDA's to the greatest part, I will use her explanation.

Will man take hold of divine power, and with determination and perseverance resist Satan, as Christ has given him example in His conflict with the foe in the wilderness of temptation? God cannot save man against his will from the power of Satan’s artifices. Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and joint-heir with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the overcoming. Man must do his part; he must be victor on his own account, through the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man must be a co-worker with Christ in the labor of overcoming, and then he will be partaker with Christ in His glory. {OFC 28.3}

We are hearing it everwhere now that we cannot overcome and yet men talk of faith. We must have faith that with His indwelling, divine nature it is not only possible but expected.

This is one of seven verses in Rev. by Jesus on "He that overcometh"

Re 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gail]

I like talking about overcoming!

What is it about us that is lamb-like?

[Gibs]

Gail,

When He came as a man, the lamb of God, He gave Himself to us that we might be saved. Now we give ourselves to Him who is now our True Shepherd and we know Him by the quality of His voice and follow Him as His little lambs. The quality of the voice is the Truth. He was obedient as a lamb to die for us and now we are obedient as little lambs that we might be saved by the way He made.

We are lamblike when we are like Him. We abide in Him and He in us.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[ClubV12]

There has been quite a significant "push" in my local church the last few months that deals with issues of the "law". The need to actually keep it!!! In the sermons, not just by the Pastor, but others giving the sermon as well. It comes up in prayer meeting, it comes up in the special bible study classes I attend with a few folks (usually led by the Assistant Pastor). We've been studying the Sanctuary, now THAT is a study where the "law" cannot be avoided!

We've had some excellent discussions in Sabbath school class, which this quarter is on Galations, and how to keep that balance between faith and works. How we must cultivate a love for the law, for sacrifice not from the heart is meaningless.

Gail you can appreciate this next one. Recently the Pastor had a sermon on reading material (books) what was and wasn't appropriate. A week or so later I was having a conversation with a lady who confessed she had really tore into her library and throw out a lot of books. I don't know what they were, don't care, I rejoiced with her that was taking positive steps to move closer to the Lord.

We've had sermons on movies and games as well. Some things that would be controversial on THIS web site for sure!

I am hearing a nice balanced approach to grace and the law,,,, everywhere! Praise the Lord for that!

[Gail]

Gail,

When He came as a man, the lamb of God, He gave Himself to us that we might be saved. Now we give ourselves to Him who is now our True Shepherd and we know Him by the quality of His voice and follow Him as His little lambs. The quality of the voice is the Truth. He was obedient as a lamb to die for us and now we are obedient as little lambs that we might be saved by the way He made.

We are lamblike when we are like Him. We abide in Him and He in us.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gail]

There has been quite a significant "push" in my local church the last few months that deals with issues of the "law". The need to actually keep it!!! In the sermons, not just by the Pastor, but others giving the sermon as well. It comes up in prayer meeting, it comes up in the special bible study classes I attend with a few folks (usually led by the Assistant Pastor). We've been studying the Sanctuary, now THAT is a study where the "law" cannot be avoided!

We've had some excellent discussions in Sabbath school class, which this quarter is on Galations, and how to keep that balance between faith and works. How we must cultivate a love for the law, for sacrifice not from the heart is meaningless.

Gail you can appreciate this next one. Recently the Pastor had a sermon on reading material (books) what was and wasn't appropriate. A week or so later I was having a conversation with a lady who confessed she had really tore into her library and throw out a lot of books. I don't know what they were, don't care, I rejoiced with her that was taking positive steps to move closer to the Lord.

We've had sermons on movies and games as well. Some things that would be controversial on THIS web site for sure!

I am hearing a nice balanced approach to grace and the law,,,, everywhere! Praise the Lord for that!

Oh, how cool that your pastor was doing a sanctuary study!! It just only gets better!

Whatever promotes the spirit of the law within our hearts- I'm all for that! A study on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit I would find helpful as well.

Thanks for sharing, Club!