Living Sacrifice, by Pastor Michele Garcia
Oxymoron–The first half of the word derives from the ancient Greek word “oxus,” meaningsharp.The second half of the word comes from the ancient Greek word “mōros,” meaning dull orfoolish. If we put them together, we get the very strange concept: sharply dull. It’s a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like “old news,” “deafening silence,” or “organized chaos.” Cruel kindness–love/hate relationships. Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense.
What about God’s oxymorons? Holy Spirit, who inspired the Word of God, the Word, Jesus, and His Word, the Bible–is really the mastermind behind this idea. Familiar Ones in His Word:
- Poor Are Rich–Matthew 5:32.
- Losing everything, to gain Christ which is everything–Philippians 3:83.
- Humble will be exalted–James 4:104.
- Last being first, and the first last–Matthew 20:165.
- Strength in Weakness–2 Corinthians 12:106.
- Freedom through being bonded to God–Romans 6:227.
- Life Through Death–Matthew 16:25.
~ LIVING SACRIFICE ~ What does this even mean?
Living–being alive, drawing breath, moving, requiring air.
Sacrifice-to surrender something on the altar, to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, injure, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end.
- A sacrifice has to cost something–act of worship
- Living sacrifice–means it happens over and over and over again–a surrendering of something to Papa–again and again
Romans 12:1-NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your true and proper worship.
Lives of living sacrifice, lives of worship are meant to look the same no matter where we are–what we do here at church, set apart and dedicated to God, is no less holy that we do outside of here (as long as it isn’t sin), because we’ve dedicated, set our lives apart to Jesus.
