**This is a continuation of a previous discussion regarding our being a living sacrifice. If you have not read part 1 you may do so here .

In Ephesians 4:20 Paul says “you have not so learned Christ.” In Romans 12:1-2 Paul says for us to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The first step to becoming like Christ is to learn of Him. We learn about Christ through the Word of God. In order for us to be transformed, our minds must be renewed. This tells us that we must make a constant diet of the Word of God a part of our everyday lives.

These passages also let us (believers) know that Christ is our example; children of God should pattern themselves after Him. What was a constant factor in Christ’s life? We should make it a constant in our  own lives. Jesus knew the Word. He did not neglect God’s Word. He had an active, working knowledge of God’s Word. He was able to call upon it whenever He needed to. We must dedicate ourselves to the disciplines of scripture – reading, studying, memorizing, and applying the Word of God.

Jesus took time away from the hustle and bustle of life to spend with His father. Christ, a man of much prayer, stayed in constant communication with God. He knew the will of the Father. He had complete trust in God and consulted Him on everything. He also unburdened His heart to Him. As true Christians we must find ourselves growing in the discipline of prayer. In doing so we strengthen not only our love for God, but also the same desire the Lord had to do everything that pleases the Father.

Jesus was also a minister to the needs of others. Today we should also be ministers to the needs of others. Knowing that Christ is the greatest need this world has, we should endeavor to walk upright before God and man. There should be instantly recognizable differences between disciples of Christ and sinners. This difference should be an inward difference highly visible on the outside. Not only should we have a different appearance, our behavior is different, our lifestyle is different, our communication is different, and our way of thinking is also different. In everything we do our goal is to please God. This is the same desire Christ had, and we should maintain that same desire to obey God.

Believers will find that following Christ’s example will bring about our transformation into the image of Christ. Engaging in the disciplines of Christ is how an individual’s mind gets renewed; it is how we will keep ourselves from the evil way. We must remember, from Paul’s Words in Romans 12:1, we are to present ourselves as sacrifices to God. That means we give ourselves over to His will. We are not our own since we have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ. Therefore, let us examine ourselves, making sure we are offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices; daily laying down our personal desires and dedicating all we have to growing in and following the Lord.

**What are your thoughts on being the Living Sacrifice that God is calling for? Are you willing to be that sacrifice?

Juanita Deloris