So then from what we have gathered thus far in order for us to become participators in Christ death we must not only be willing to share in his baptism, his sacrificial death, but we must likewise be willing to drink from his cup share in the experiences which he endured, the sufferings, trials, self-denials and the ignominy. This will require great sacrifice of the individual, many obstacles will stand in the way, but we have the assurance of our Master’s help for he has tread this path before.
The question is are we willing, if so,
How do we go about doing this, what’s the first step?
The Apostle Paul in Rom 12:1 answers:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present (consecrate) your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
It should be noticed that these words of the Apostle are not addressed to the unbelieving world, but to those only to whom he recognizes as “brethren”, fellow believers (both those who had not yet consecrated themselves, and those who had, but who needed further encouragement to fulfill their consecration vows).
“We remember that God could not accept an offering brought by one under condemnation; and in view of the fact that all the human family was so condemned in Adam, so how could we who are imperfect hope to offer an acceptable sacrifice?
As expressed in our text, this may be done by or through "the mercies of God," in providing for us a Redeemer. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." By reason of faith in our Savior we are justified to peace with God, and are thus acceptable to Him as sacrificers. We now have a life (our restitutional life rights secured through the ransom, although presently only reckoned to us) to offer, for "he that hath the Son hath life." (1 John 5:12)
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, [ransomed, justified --and therefore] acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"
Our sacrifice is only acceptable (made holy) as we have been “made right” through the imputation of the merit of Christ righteousness. “Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners and he needed to apply his merit for us, in order that our sacrifice might be accepted. God will accept our sacrifice, if we come through faith in Christ. That is his arrangement, for Christ has made a satisfaction for our sins. Be our sacrifice ever so lame and imperfect (in Christ), it is reckoned holy and without blemish; but it must be a free-will offering, and it must be a whole burnt-offering--not the smallest piece can be kept back.”
We ourselves do not come to God directly, but through the great High Priest, who imputes his merit, and includes our sacrifice as a part of his own.
This is pictured in the Tabernacle and “The Consecration of the Priesthood” with the offering of the two rams as recorded in Exodus Chapter 29 and Leviticus Chapter 8, we won’t go into the details here but suffice to say that the first ram designated, “the ram for the burnt offering” typifies how God receives our sacrifice. After Aaron and his sons had laid their hands upon the ram indicating that it represented them, the ram was then cut into pieces its legs and entrails washed and then placed with the head. The whole ram was then burnt upon the altar, the head being placed upon the altar first followed by the washed parts.
Here an excellent illustration is shown of how our sacrifice is made acceptable by our being joined to Christ. The Head was laid on the altar first and since then all who are “dead with him,” and likewise cleansed, as in the type, by the washing of the Word—are reckoned as laid with the Head upon the same altar.
Before we take a look at what specifically it is that we agree to sacrifice, in our next post we would like to address a concern some may be having right about now.
The question is are we willing, if so,
How do we go about doing this, what’s the first step?
The Apostle Paul in Rom 12:1 answers:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present (consecrate) your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
It should be noticed that these words of the Apostle are not addressed to the unbelieving world, but to those only to whom he recognizes as “brethren”, fellow believers (both those who had not yet consecrated themselves, and those who had, but who needed further encouragement to fulfill their consecration vows).
“We remember that God could not accept an offering brought by one under condemnation; and in view of the fact that all the human family was so condemned in Adam, so how could we who are imperfect hope to offer an acceptable sacrifice?
As expressed in our text, this may be done by or through "the mercies of God," in providing for us a Redeemer. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." By reason of faith in our Savior we are justified to peace with God, and are thus acceptable to Him as sacrificers. We now have a life (our restitutional life rights secured through the ransom, although presently only reckoned to us) to offer, for "he that hath the Son hath life." (1 John 5:12)
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, [ransomed, justified --and therefore] acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"
Our sacrifice is only acceptable (made holy) as we have been “made right” through the imputation of the merit of Christ righteousness. “Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners and he needed to apply his merit for us, in order that our sacrifice might be accepted. God will accept our sacrifice, if we come through faith in Christ. That is his arrangement, for Christ has made a satisfaction for our sins. Be our sacrifice ever so lame and imperfect (in Christ), it is reckoned holy and without blemish; but it must be a free-will offering, and it must be a whole burnt-offering--not the smallest piece can be kept back.”
We ourselves do not come to God directly, but through the great High Priest, who imputes his merit, and includes our sacrifice as a part of his own.
This is pictured in the Tabernacle and “The Consecration of the Priesthood” with the offering of the two rams as recorded in Exodus Chapter 29 and Leviticus Chapter 8, we won’t go into the details here but suffice to say that the first ram designated, “the ram for the burnt offering” typifies how God receives our sacrifice. After Aaron and his sons had laid their hands upon the ram indicating that it represented them, the ram was then cut into pieces its legs and entrails washed and then placed with the head. The whole ram was then burnt upon the altar, the head being placed upon the altar first followed by the washed parts.
Here an excellent illustration is shown of how our sacrifice is made acceptable by our being joined to Christ. The Head was laid on the altar first and since then all who are “dead with him,” and likewise cleansed, as in the type, by the washing of the Word—are reckoned as laid with the Head upon the same altar.
Before we take a look at what specifically it is that we agree to sacrifice, in our next post we would like to address a concern some may be having right about now.
