Posted on 07/09/2020 7:48:15 AM PDT by metmom
"Offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5).
Every faculty you have is to be used for God’s glory.
In Romans 12:1 Paul pleads with believers to present their bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice, which is an appropriate and acceptable act of worship. But as someone has rightly said, the problem with living sacrifices is they tend to crawl off the altar. That's because sacrificial living demands spiritual discipline and constant dependence on the Holy Spirit. We as Christians aren't always willing to do that.
According to Paul, the motivation and ability for self-sacrifice are found in the mercies we've already experienced in Christ. In Romans 1-11 he mentions several, including love, grace, peace, faith, comfort, power, hope, patience, kindness, glory, honor, righteousness, forgiveness, reconciliation, justification, security, eternal life, freedom, resurrection, sonship, intercession, and the Holy Spirit. Because you've received all that, you should gladly surrender every faculty you have for holy purposes.
"Body" in Romans 12:1 also includes your mind. Verse 2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." A transformed mind is the key to transformed behavior.
Prior to your salvation, you had neither the desire nor the ability to make such a sacrifice. But because you are a new creation in Christ, you are not to "go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but . . . as instruments of righteousness to God" (Rom. 6:13). One practical implication? Abstain from sexual immorality. Know how to possess your own body in sanctification and honor (1 Thess. 4:3-4).
You are a holy priest, and your priestly work begins with presenting yourself as a living and holy sacrifice. Is that your desire? Are you a faithful priest?
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for His bountiful mercies toward you. Commit this day to Him, asking for the grace to live a holy life.
For Further Study
Read Romans 6.
What choices do you have as a believer that you didn't have as an unbeliever? What is the benefit of being God's slave?
Studying God’s Word ping
“Offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5)
The Church is a spiritual temple under construction. Believers are like living stones built up securely on Christ. Temples are a ling place for God and a house of worship and sacrifice. The Mass is the sacrifice for the Glory of God the Father (as Jesus did the will of Father) and for the salvation of the world as we participate in this spiritual sacrifice.
The mass is no sacrifice.
God didn’t send Jesus to us for us to use Him as a sacrifice for our sins the way the Israelites used a bull, ram, or goat.
We don’t bring Jesus to God and sacrifice Him to God for our sins.
That’s blasphemy.
Jesus gave His life of His volition to take the punishment for our sins in our place. It’s not our choice to offer Him as a sacrifice.
Besides, once someone is forgiven and the record of sin debt they owe to God is canceled out, then there is no need for any more sacrifice for sins. Jesus does not need to be killed by us again and again on a daily basis for our sin.
Maybe you believe false teachings with no substantiation of your statements.
Your comment: “The mass is no sacrifice.”
During the Last Supper, the Lord said to his disciples, “Do this in memory of me.” In Greek, this statement reads, “Touto poieite eis tan eman anamnesin.” There are two.aspects of this phrase that deserve consideration. For one, the phrase touto poieite can be translated as do this or as offer this. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites “you shall offer (poieseis) upon the altar two lambs” (Ex. 29:38). This use of poiein is translated as offer this or sacrifice this over seventy times in the Old Testament. So the same word that is used for the sacrifice under the Old Covenant is used for the sacrifice of the Mass in the New.
The second key.aspect of this phrase is Our Lord’s use of the word anamnesin. If you were to ask a Protestant to look in a Greek Translation of his Bible, every time this word (anamnesis) appears it is within a sacrificial context (see, for example, Numbers 10:10). It also can be translated as memorial offering or memorial sacrifice. While these nuances are lost in the English translation, Jewish ears would have understood the sacrificial meaning of Christ’s words.
Another New Testament passage that testifies to the sacrificial nature of the Mass is 1 Corinthians 10:14–21. Here Paul argues that participation in the Lord’s table means refusing to participate in the sacrifices of demons. Paul contrasts two groups: The first are those who participate in one altar (the table of demons), eating the sacrifice and drinking from the cup of demons. The second are those who partake of the table of the Lord (which, according to Malachi 1:7 is synonymous with an altar of sacrifice) and drink from the cup of the Lord.
The Mass is a participation in this one heavenly offering. The risen Christ becomes present on the altar and offers himself to God as a living sacrifice. Like the Mass, Christ words at the Last Supper are words of sacrifice, “This is my body . . . this is my blood . . . given up for you.” So, the Mass is not repeating the murder of Jesus, but is taking part in what never ends: the offering of Christ to the Father for our sake (Heb 7:25, 9:24). After all, if Calvary didn’t get the job done, then the Mass won’t help. It is precisely because the death of Christ was sufficient that the Mass is celebrated. It does not add to or take away from the work of Christ—it is the work of Christ.
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/is-the-mass-a-sacrifice
Acts 16:31, which reads, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Sounds pretty simple. However, the Bible says much more about salvation and forgiveness. Jesus repeatedly affirmed that if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven (Matt. 6:15). When Jesus breathed on the apostles in John 20, he gave them the power to retain sins. But if one’s salvation is contingent upon nothing other than a verbal profession of faith, then there is no reason why Jesus would given any man the power to retain sins. In the midst of all of these passages what we need to be careful of is that we do not camp out on one particular Bible passage without consulting the rest of Scripture.
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/how-to-defend-the-sacrament-of-confession
Your comment: “Besides, once someone is forgiven and the record of sin debt they owe to God is canceled out, then there is no need for any more sacrifice for sins.”
You may be confused, yes Baptism forgives original sin and any personal sins we have at the time of Baptism. We need forgiveness of mortal sins after Baptism and before death. Jesus is unhappy with the level of personal sins and will issue a warning where everyone’s soul will be exposed so that each of us will know our sins.
In memory does not mean to kill Him again, over and over.
And what is done in memory of Him is eating BREAD and drinking WINE, which are symbolic of His body and blood.
In memory of does not mean re-enactments.
Jesus died ONCE for all. HE said *It is finished*.
Catholicism makes a mockery of His one time sacrifice by pretending that it needs to be repeated over and over again.
For your information:
Moses in the Old Testament at Passover a lamb was offered as a sacrifice to God, the blood of the lamb was split on the altar and then Jewish family took the lamb home at ate it at the Passover table.
At the Last Supper on the occasion of the Passover, Jesus fulfilled the Passover by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God - Christ as he changed the bread and wine into His Body and Blood and on the Cross. As Catholics we experience Heaven on Earth as Jesus becomes one with us. John6:56
An excellent you tube by a former protestant minister:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67WmIGLPvEM
Again you make blanket statements that are not true.
The Mass does not kill Jesus again and you should know that from your time as a practicing Catholic.
When was the last time you attended a Mass?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67WmIGLPvEM
It’s called the sacrifice of the mass. In a sacrifice, something is killed for atonement. The name alone indicates that a killing takes place.
If Jesus isn’t killed then why do you call it the sacrifice of the mass?
Catholicism can play all the word games it wants, but it’s no secret that they consider it participation in His sacrifice and that can only happen when the event occurs.
They are offering Jesus up to God as a sacrifice for our sins as if He were an animal.
Your comments indicate the understanding of scripture and Catholic faith is weak.
Many repeat the anti-Catholic myths and lies.
The old testament had multiple bloody sacrifices to worship God, and the new testament had one bloody sacrifice of humble servant Christ for God the Father by doing His will on the Cross for our sins. Jesus opened Heaven to all by His death and resurrection.
Jesus established the Mass and the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper to replace the Passover meal. The new covenant established by Jesus a non bloody sacrifice of the Mass for the glory of God the Father and the salvation of the world. We celebrate with Jesus as the High Priest through the ordained priest as we receive Jesus - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist.
You should try understand the definition of sacrifice and not make rash statements.
If it’s non-bloody then it’s not a sacrifice because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.
So whatever Catholics think they’re participating in that doesn’t have blood in it, it’s not the death of Jesus.
Besides, if it is indeed non-bloody, then where does the blood of Jesus that they allegedly drink come from?
Eating of blood is forbidden by God in Scripture. The blood of any sacrifice was NEVER to be eaten, but rather poured out for atonement. Anyone who ate blood was to be cut off from his people, the Israelites.
So you make up your own definition of sacrifice or the protestant version? Why do you continue to lie about Catholic teaching?
The Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation forgives mortal and venial sins.
“Through participation in the Eucharist, we also participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, that is, in his dying and rising, which is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice. This participation in the Paschal Mystery of Christ reaches its consummation when we receive his Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Christ’s victory and triumph over death is then made present in the lives of those who participate in the Eucharist,” US Catholic Catechism for Adults p 224
Jesus as the high priest through the ordained priest consecrates the bread into the Body of Jesus with the words “This is My Body”; and the wine with the words “Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant.”
So are you saying that eating the Body and Blood of Jesus is forbidden? Perhaps animal blood was forbidden in the old covenant, but eating The Body and Blood of God was never forbidden. Are you working for Satan?
The mystery of the transubstantiation is by the power of the Holy Spirit performed by ordained priests acting for Jesus.
At Mass, we are an assembly of believers called to be a community joined in the praise and worship of God. We are given the Body and Blood of Christ so that we ourselves will be transformed in our turn. We are to become the Body of Christ, his own flesh and blood.
Eating blood is strictly forbidden by God throughout Scripture.
Don't eat the blood, the life is in the blood
Genesis 9:4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life , that is, its blood.
Leviticus 3:17 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”
Leviticus 7:26-27 Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.”
Leviticus 17:10-14 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.
“Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.
Leviticus 19:26 “You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.
Deuteronomy 12:16 Only you shall not eat the blood ; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.
Deuteronomy 12:23 Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life , and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.
Deuteronomy 15:23 Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.
Acts 15:12-29 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:
“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
Matthew 26:29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Mark 14:25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 22:18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Jesus didn’t come to earth so we could practice cannibalism.
We don’t eat Jesus.
LOL! You can’t make this stuff up. Oh, wait ... yes; somebody actually did.
Your comment: “Jesus didn’t come to earth so we could practice cannibalism.
We don’t eat Jesus.”
Satan, get behind me.
Your comments are heresy: “denial of a revealed truth by a baptized member of the Catholic Church.”
May you find and accept God’s Truth.
Jesus clearly told us: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” John 6:56
Spiritual life is spiritual given by the Spirit.
Spiritual life is not attained by physical actions such as religious rituals.
If religious rituals worked, then the Law would have and Christ would not have needed to die.
Do you understand why the Law was given?
God's truth is this......
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Jesus is the Truth, and His word is the Truth.
Catholic blasphemy about eating Jesus is NOT Truth.
Truth is that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
And not by physically eating Jesus.
I can see that you can post scripture, but do you understand the meaning or how it relates to the Word made flesh?
You say you are a follower of Christ but you do not believe His words. Not believing you make excuses that the words of Jesus are not the Truth.
It is the flesh and blood of Jesus that gave life and salvation to mankind and continues to do so through the Eucharist.
So did you figure out that your own understanding of sacrifice or the protestant version is wrong? Why do you continue to lie about Catholic teaching?
Jesus clearly told us: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” John 6:56
You claim to know God’s Truth, but is it the protestant version a heresy from the true teachings of Jesus?
It appears to me that you can quote lines of scripture, but can’t defend your protestant doctrine in a logical and reasonable manner and you make unsubstantiated claims of errors of the Catholic doctrines.
I will continue to pray to God at Mass so that you will truly believe in God’s Truth and the Body and Blood of Jesus.
“Your comments are heresy: ‘denial of a revealed truth by a baptized member of the Catholic Church.’”
Your definition of “heresy” is a definition made up by mortal man. The ACTUAL definition is, “belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.”
I know you can’t help it; you believe what mortals have told you. As do the Mormons. As did those in Jonestown. As do Muslims. It’s pretty safe to stick to the Bible 100%, not cherry-pick passages out of context, and not to make up stuff.
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