Reading and studying the New Testament Book of Romans can be a most rewarding venture.

One of the most fascinating and meaningful phrases that the Apostle Paul uses in Romans, chapter 12, is his urgent plea to the Roman Christians to become “living sacrifices.”

At first glance this phrase appears to be a play on words or even a contradiction in terms. The word “living” suggests vitality, activity, and alertness, while the word “sacrifice” is usually thought of as giving up something of highest worth as an act of commitment.

Most of the time, the sacrificial rites in ancient religions would involve “blood sacrifice” of an animal and even on some occasions a human being. The word “sacrifice” literally means “to make sacred.”

Sacrifice is well described as self-expendability. We find our lives by losing them in service for others. This is the road to peace and fulfillment.

Paul’s challenge is to become a “living sacrifice” by “presenting your bodies, holy, acceptable unto God which is an act of intelligent worship.” By “bodies” Paul is suggesting all the activities of the earthly life. We are to take all the daily tasks or responsibilities and offer all of them as acts of worship to God. We have the privilege of giving our time, our talents, and our resources to bless others.

We become a “living sacrifice” when we are motivated by the impulse of the cross of Jesus. This is not the cheap way. It is the costly or demanding way. In fact, it can be an expensive road to travel from selfishness to selflessness. It means that we strive to make God’s standards for service to Him and others first priority in our lives.

The convicting challenge of the Apostle Paul’s words, “to be a living sacrifice” comes to each one of us as an individual. The choice is ours “to be or not to be” a living sacrifice. We have many responsibilities —families, friendships, vocations, etc. on a daily basis.

We have the challenging assignment to move from self-centeredness to self-forgetfulness always before us. This can become a reality when we truly seek to be a “living sacrifice.”

The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the sins of all mankind stands as a constant challenge to us to live in a sacrificial manner.