XV. A Living Sacrifice.

God requires a living, not a dead sacrifice. The time for sacrificial offerings is past. Jesus Christ suffered unto death, even the death of the cross, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto Himself a “peculiar people,” and make us meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. God now requires, that we should be a complete offering to Him; soul, body and spirit: all we have, all we are, and all we ever expect to be, for time and eternity. We frequently say with our lips, but do we say it deep down in our heart:

This is just what God requires; hear the command: “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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is this good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Ro. 12:12.)

Again, “Ye are not your own! For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and spirit, which are his.” (1 Cor. 6:19.) The above expresses in general, what is implied in being, “A living sacrifice.” Too many, are content with a sort of wholesale consecration; and too many we have reason to fear, keep back a part of the price. Let us, dear reader, look carefully at our offering, to see, if it be just what God requires, without blemish or spot, or any such thing.

First, Our memory: Is it devoted to God? Do we always, and under all circumstances, recollect God’s commandments? Do we always inquire of Him, before engaging in any business transaction? Do we remember daily, to discharge our obligations, to God, our brethren and sisters, our neighbors, and all we have to do with? Do we always act out our religion, just what we profess before the enemies of the cross of Christ, as well, as when among His friends?

Second, The mind: We must serve God with our intellects. The mind must be cultivated for His Glory. We have no right to remain in ignorance. The command is, “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy soul and with all thy mind.” Our intellects must be cultivated; not to gain the applause of men, but that we may have more power to win souls to Christ, and build them up in that Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; and not prostituted, to a time-saving policy.

Third, Our will: The will, to our intellectual machinery, is the same as the rudder to a vessel. This gives direction to the ship when under way, and if in the hands of a skilled helmsman, she goes just as desired. It is so with the will, if in the hands of the Holy Ghost, our minds will be guided into all truth.

Fourth, The eye: must be wholly sanctified to God, or else we shall be running after strange flesh, and strange sights. If the eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Fifth, The ear: When fully consecrated will be quick to hear when God speaks, by His providence, His spirit or in His blessed word; but will not listen to reports of slander, not unsanctified music when offered up as worship to the great I am.

Sixth, The face: The index of the soul must be clean and comely. It affords great comfort and delight to look upon, especially when Jesus Christ is living and reigning in the heart; when the oil of gladness makes the face to shine; but how it detracts in beauty and expression, if the mouth be covered over with moustache, like worldly minded men. To me it is an expression of pride and vanity, as much as for females to cover their head with flowers and ribbons.

Seventh, The mouth: We must not allow anything to enter our mouths that would in any way defile our bodies knowingly. That class of food that proves injurious to the system we must not use; neither drink what hurts. Tobacco, used in any form, defiles; hence, we cannot use it and be a “living sacrifice.”

Eighth, The tongue: Is an unruly member, full of deadly poison. No man hath ever been able to tame it without the grace of God; and with this it requires constant watching, held in with bit and bridle. O! how much it means to have a sanctified tongue; having our conversation always “seasoned with salt, ministering grace to the hearers.”

Ninth, Our bodies: With all pertaining thereto, life, health, strength, family, friends, farms, bank and railroad stock, all are to be devoted to the cause of human redemption. We give ourselves up to do and suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ. God wants men and women thus devoted to His cause in every department of life. In the pulpit and in the pew; the merchant, the mechanic, the sailor, the scavenger, the manufacturer, teachers, servants to do the little work, mothers to rear families, presidents, statesmen, judges, and all rulers in authority.

Tenth, The results: When professors are thus devoted to the cause of Christ, a slumbering world will awake to righteousness, and not before. Then nations will be born in a day, they will learn war no more. The blood stained banner will be unfurled in every clime; Jesus Christ will reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth.

Are you a living sacrifice?