To be a living sacrifice includes the renewing of your mind. It includes not conforming to the norms of this world. It involves being transformed . In includes a radical change in our thinking and outlook. It includes a new world view.
Our understanding of presenting our selves as a sacrifice conjures up images of being burnt at the stake or some physical act that takes our life from us. This kind of sacrifice can only be done once. So in a sense it is an easy sacrifice (only one time). A more difficult sacrifice,(Which Paul is talking about) involves us continually, daily, moment by moment giving ourselves (desires, goals, actions) in a pleasing way to God. It does not mean that we cannot fulfill any of our own desires, goals, actions. It means we first offer ourselves to the Lord.
In the Old Testament sacrificial system. Most of the sacrifices were like this: One would bring their sacrifice to the priest in the temple who would kill it, dress it, take a portion of the meat (the fat) and offer it up on the burning altar to God. Take a portion for himself. The priests in those days were so obese. Many of them suffered from Gout. After that was done, the rest of the meat was taken and eaten by those who brought it.
What fulfills the law?
(13:10) Loving your fellow man... one another! How radical. However it does sum up Jesus’ command.
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