“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. 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.” (Romans 12:1- 2 KJV)
One day a pig was bragging to the cow about how she has
been good to her boss. She said; “You see, as a pig, I can give our master
bacon, pork chops, roasted pig, fried pig, adobo (Philippine National
Specialty), hot dog, piglets, etc.” The cow responded; “Good for you, but you
gave our master your best only when you’re dead already, except for the
piglets!” The cow continued in humility; “Mrs. Piggy, I gave our master cheese,
milk, cheese cream, buttermilk, beef chew, roast beef, I gave birth too, and I
can give our master a huge amount of meat at death, etc.” This is a good
picture of some Christians or religions, especially the Muslim religion. They
thought that they can please God, or go to heaven in giving themselves by
death.
Matthew Henry wrote; “A
Christian makes his body a sacrifice to God, though he does not give it to be
burned. A body sincerely devoted to God is a living sacrifice. A living
sacrifice, by way of allusion-that which was dead of itself might not be eaten,
much less sacrificed, Deu. 14:21; and by ways of opposition—"The sacrifice
was to be slain, but you may be sacrificed, and yet live on’’—an unbloody
sacrifice. The barbarous heathen sacrificed their children to their idol-gods,
not living, but slain sacrifices: but God will have mercy, and not such
sacrifice, though life is forfeited to him. A living sacrifice, that is,
inspired with the spiritual life of the soul. It is Christ living in the soul
by faith that makes the body a living sacrifice.” (Galatians 2:20)
