Return to the Devotionals page.
Though many people aspire to emulate certain aspects of Jesus' character, most only do so when it is easy or will benefit them. However, Romans 12:1 calls us to a much higher standard of imitation, which is to at all times follow Christ in being a living sacrifice before our heavenly Father. Though Christ Himself provides the best example of this wholly surrendered life, Scripture provides another one that beautifully demonstrates the attitudes we need to become living sacrifices.
This exemplary character is none other than Isaac in Genesis 22. Here, God tested Abraham by calling him to sacrifice this beloved son of his. This was undoubtedly the most difficult test Abraham had ever received, for it required him to give up what was most valuable to him. Despite the immense cost, Abraham willingly obeyed, demonstrating that no sacrifice was too costly to further His relationship with the Lord. Although Abraham's surrender is the focal point of this Biblical account, Isaac was arguably given an even greater test from the Lord, for it demanded he give up his very life. Although the passage reveals little about Issac's reaction to the situation, it shows that he allowed Abraham to bind him and lay him on the altar to be sacrificed. Though God spared Isaac in the end with a substitute ram, this account demonstrates how much Abraham and Isaac were willing to surrender of themselves to obey the Lord.
Furthermore, Isaac's behavior demonstrates three attitudes that are crucial for us to be living sacrifice. First, despite being much younger and quicker than his aged father, Isaac surrendered the opportunity to overpower or outrun Abraham to peacefully yield to his will. Likewise, though God does not force His will on us, we cannot be His living sacrifices unless we adopt Jesus' attitude in Luke 22:42 to surrender our will for His in all circumstances. Second, by allowing himself to be bound on the altar, Isaac placed himself under his father's complete control. This perfectly illustrates how we should present ourselves before God as living sacrifices in Romans 12:2, giving Him complete control to transform and test us. Finally, Isaac was willing to give up everything to obey his father and God, even if it meant losing his very life. Likewise, we should obey Luke 14:33 in placing all we are and have before God for Him to use and take away according to His perfect will. Thus, Isaac's humble, submissive, and self-sacrificing behavior before his earthly father beautifully demonstrates the requirements of being living sacrifices before our heavenly Father.
Like Isaac, we are called by God to offer up ourselves on His altar to render everything to be sacrificed for His glory. This ultimate standard of surrender cannot be attained unless we allow God to replace our fleshly attitudes with the ones of complete humility, submission, and self-denial that only His Holy Spirit can impart to us. Though becoming and remaining a living sacrifice in this life may cost us everything, Matthew 25:21 encourages us with the promise of unimaginable eternal rewards and the loving, unending approval of our perfect Master.
Return to the Devotionals page.