A Sacrificial Life

If we were to identify a NT passage that most accurately describes what it looks like to live a life that reflects the themes of both the burnt and grain offerings, it would be Romans 12:1-2:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The grain offering was about gratitude and obedience, which flowed out of being accepted by God (signified by the burnt offering). The Romans passage above describes the same thing. First, we are accepted by God only because of his “mercies.” As a result, our lives are now to be a “living sacrifice” grounded in “spiritual worship” toward God (i.e. gratitude), as well doing “the will of God” (i.e. obedience). The same spiritual emphases are in place now that were in place then. The MAJOR difference is that now we have the Holy Spirit providing us with the resurrection power of Christ to live faithfully before God in both gratitude and obedience.