The Living Sacrifice: St. Paul’s Vision for Christian Life

The Mystical Lamb from the Ghent Altarpiece, Jan van Eyck (1390-1441AD)

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Introduction 

The key to understanding the Apostle Paul's vision of the Church is found in the opening verse of this exhortation. The phrase “living sacrifice” is not found anywhere else in Scripture, and, as we know from the Old Covenant, sealed in the blood of spotless kosher animals, and in the New Covenant, accomplished forever in the blood of Jesus Christ, the God-man, the life of the blood was only effectual in the death of the victim. But here, in a completely new paradigm, the Church is called to present itself as a “living sacrifice” and the meaning of this kind of sacrifice of self, alive to God, reconciling with one another, and offering itself for the restoration of the world back to God. This kind of “moving propitiation” and “continual expiation” is described in the following passage in a vision that unites the Church with the world as it was supposed to be, before the Fall, a world full of life, love, forgiveness, submission, and light. 

Verse by Verse Contrast of Romans 12 

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

In Exodus 19:5-6, God lays out the preface for His covenant with Israel through Moses, a perfect law, revealed on Mount Sinai. He says, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” First of all, the often abused “a holy nation of priests unto the Lord” (echoed again in 1 Peter 2:9) from whence Protestants often surmise “universal priesthood” to disprove a particular continuity of priestly ministry in the New Covenant, is speaking of the sacrifices that we are commanded to make here - the sacrifice of self. 

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

This living sacrifice is notably different from the old sacrifices, in that it is transformative. Only God has the power to recreate the world, so, therefore, the restorative power that is manifest is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. The Holy Spirit through us accomplishes God’s Will, never our own, and God’s will leads to humility and softness, deferring and the protection and encouragement of others. Therefore, the truth of the Gospel leads to the opposite results of the world’s understanding of power and politics. To truly allow God’s will to be made manifest, we must agree with St. Paul when he says “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) 

Starting from Unity in Christ 

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 

In 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, St. Paul makes a similar argument, but fills it out even more - “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 

And again, in 1 Corinthians 10:17 - “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” 

Flowering into Spiritual Gifts 

Continuing in Romans 12, verse 6 - 

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

A different list is given in the First Book of Corinthians, which flips the order of Romans, talking first of gifts and then of unity, where in Romans it talks first of unity and then of gifts - 

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 

And in Ephesians, this list is filled out even more… 

Ephesians 4:11-16 - “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” 

Maturing into Fruits of the Spirit

In the following verses, we have St. Paul’s description of how these charismatic gifts and the unity of the Church flow out into the world in good works, spiritual fruit. We are reminded of what James 2:17-18 says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” St. Paul lists these fruits in Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” 

Continuing in Romans 12 - 

9 Let love be without dissimulation (deceit or manipulation). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 

Jude 1:22-23 “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” 

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

Ephesians 4:2-  “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love…”

Ephesians 5:21 - “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” 

11 Not slothful in business; fervent (“zeontes” - boiling) in spirit; serving the Lord; 

Colossians 3:23-24 - “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” 

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

And of manifesting patience in prayer, St. Paul shows us in Ephesians and Philippians… 

Ephesians 6:18-20 - “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” 

Philippians 4:6 - “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” 

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (“Philoxenos” - “loving the stranger”, one of the characteristics commanded of bishops in 1 Timothy 3:2, along with being “the husband of one wife.”) 

Luke 12:33 - “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” 

Timothy 6:17-19 - “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 

James 2:15-16 - “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” 

2 Corinthians 9:12 - “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God…” 

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 

As Jesus says in Luke 6:27-28 - “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” 

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 

Philippians 3:16 - “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” 

1 Corinthians 1:10 - “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

1 Peter 3:9 “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2 - “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 

1 Timothy 2:3-8 - “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 

Proverbs 25:21-22 - “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.” 

Proverbs 20:22 - “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.” 

Then, the ultimate point of this “living sacrifice” within the Church is made clear. These things are necessary so that evil can be destroyed and good can exist in the world. Only in the humble, mundane, submitted, lowly, loving, reconciling, self-negating life of the Church can sanctification truly transform the world and restore it to the Will of God, the Life of God, and the Love of God expressed through Jesus Christ for our salvation! 

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Summary

St. Paul “tops off” his extensive theological discourse in Romans with a practical vision for peace and communion within the Church. All of the abstract speculations about God’s foreknowledge, predestination, covenantal role, and the grafting in of the Gentiles into the God’s People boils down to how we ACT as God’s people. We are to be different. We are to reject the power paradigms of the world. We are to reject our own needs and desires in favor of the needs and desire of others, just as Christ laid himself aside and offered himself up for the Church. We are to try to be “last”, so that we can manifest Christ’s leadership principle of “he that would lead should be servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Quietness, mutual love, peaceableness, restraining our wants and desires to our “daily bread,” and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) are virtues ensconced by the Apostle Paul as the foundation of the Christian community. God gives us charismatic gifts only in as much as they help us to minister in this way in His Church. Anything else is counterfeit. 

St. Paul’s instructions in the 12th Chapter of Romans is an overwhelming symphony of love, hope and joy - a way of life in the Church that truly gives meaning to everything it touches. His vision of what can truly happen within the confines of the Christian community, the sweet communion of the Church, manifest in spiritual fruit, the ability to transcend petty interests, and the calling to live in a state of theoria - contemplating and envisioning God in the midst of our ecclesial culture - is so utterly different than the experience of Christian history at many points that we must ask ourselves if we truly believe and practice the same religion described by St. Paul! Are we ready to lay aside ourselves and seek after God by following this radically different path?