Sacrifice

With Easter and Anzac day approaching we might hear the word ‘sacrifice’ being used to describe how Jesus and those in the military gave up their lives so we could have a better life.  Usually sacrifice is associated with death, whether in the context just mentioned or in relation to ancient practises where animals were killed in a certain way and offered to a god.  As students of Jesus and recipients of his grace and mercy, we are called to be living sacrifices which may sound a bit strange.  A living sacrifice simply means that our ‘religion’ does not revolve around rituals such as church on Sunday but that our relationship with Jesus affects and directs every part of our life.  We do this not to get right with God but because we are right with God.  Being right with God is not something that we should take lightly or for granted.  It can be easy to say that we would die for Jesus but it is often more difficult to live for him. 

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Romans 12:1 NLT

http://bible.com/116/rom.12.1.NLT