Living Sacrifice

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened. ...
Then I said, "Behold, I come ...
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart."
(Psalms 40:6-8 NKJV)

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean... I will give you a new heart ... I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." (Ezekiel 36:25-27 NKJV)

At the Old Testament temple, an offering often endured—while a sacrifice always died. The New Testament temple is the Christian’s body, shared by both God's Spirit and human Self, where Self is offered as a living sacrifice that will endure forever. The only thing that dies for a living sacrifice is our will—our right to dominion over Self.

Dying doesn’t always hurt. If Self rises up and must be slaughtered, it will involve pain. But as faith grows, Self more easily delights in God’s will as a privilege rather than duty, and readily lies down to die peacefully—perhaps even painlessly.

Good Father, Your will is perfect and a delight—whatever its cost—for all things we are and have came from You and belong to You. Fill us with Your Spirit and with Your life and with joy in Your will.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy