When we think about the call to be a living sacrifice, it can seem like a high and lofty idea, reserved for moments of dramatic devotion. We often imagine ourselves offering something big for God, our time, our resources, maybe even our lives in extreme situations. But what if Romans 12 shows us that true worship, the kind God desires, isn’t found just in the dramatic gestures or big moments? What if it’s found in the ordinary, the everyday acts of life, like standing in the grocery aisle? It’s easy to forget that every moment is a chance to bring glory to God. The grocery aisle, like every other place, is an opportunity to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our true and proper worship.
In Romans 12:1, Paul doesn’t just suggest this idea of being a living sacrifice. He urges us, “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.” He doesn’t give us an option here. This is a command, but it’s rooted in God’s mercy. It’s not about earning God’s favor but responding to the overwhelming mercy He has shown us. We are called to give our entire selves to God, not just on special occasions or big decisions, but in every moment, every action, and every choice.
When we hear the word “sacrifice”, we often think of something given up, something lost or killed. The Greek word for sacrifice is θυσία (thysia), which refers to an offering, especially something given completely for a greater purpose. The call here is to offer our bodies, which in the Greek is σώματα (sōmata)—the totality of our being. This is a radical, all-encompassing surrender to God. But here’s the thing: it’s not a dead sacrifice, something offered once and for all. It’s a living sacrifice, something ongoing. We don’t offer ourselves on an altar once and move on. We are called to be living, breathing sacrifices in everything we do, in every situation we face.
Now, what does this look like in practical terms? Take the grocery aisle, for example. Most people walk through it thinking about prices, what to buy for dinner, or how to get in and out as quickly as possible. But for us as living sacrifices, that mundane moment becomes an opportunity to worship God. Think about the choices you make there. You might face temptations to cut corners, to be selfish, to get frustrated with others, or to rush through without giving a second thought to anyone else. But in that moment, we have the chance to honor God by offering up patience, kindness, and selflessness. Every act of love, every act of self-control, every moment of humility is a living sacrifice offered to God.
The call to be holy and pleasing to God is vital here. The Greek word for holy is ἅγιον (hagion), meaning set apart for a specific purpose. We are not called to live like everyone else; we are called to live according to God’s ways, which will often look different from the world around us. The world might rush, complain, and be impatient in the grocery line, but we’re called to stand apart from that pattern. Pleasing to God, εὐάρεστον (euareston), in Greek means that our actions should bring delight to God. The way we handle stress, the way we interact with others, the way we choose to act in that moment; these things matter. God sees the smallest of acts as a reflection of our love for Him.
Romans 12:2 takes it further, telling us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The word conform comes from συσχηματίζω (syschēmatizō), which means to shape or fashion ourselves according to the pattern of something. The world’s pattern is about selfishness, immediacy, and hurry. The grocery store is full of people rushing, getting frustrated, and acting out of impatience. But we are called not to conform to that pattern. Instead, we are to be transformed (μεταμορφόω (metamorphoō)), which is the same word used for a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. It’s a process that takes time, but it’s happening in the very moment we choose to make a decision based on God’s Word, rather than the world’s expectations.
Being transformed means renewing our minds; allowing God’s Word and His truth to shape the way we see the world. It’s no longer about seeing the grocery aisle as just a place to get food. It’s about seeing it as a place where we can practice patience, kindness, and joy. It’s where we can renew our mind to think like God thinks, to see opportunities for worship in the small, mundane moments of life. Transformation doesn’t happen instantly. But when we make the choice to let God renew our thinking, we are becoming more like Him in every area of life.
As we move to Romans 12:9-21, Paul gives us a picture of what it looks like to live as a living sacrifice in practical, everyday terms. He writes, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” The Greek word for love here is ἀγάπη (agapē), which refers to a selfless, unconditional love that seeks the highest good for others. This love isn’t just for people who are easy to love, it’s for everyone, even those who might annoy us in the grocery store. Maybe it’s the person pushing their cart too slowly in front of you, or the cashier who seems distracted. The call here is to love sincerely, from the heart, with no pretense. To hate what is evil: the selfishness, greed, and impatience that can easily creep in, and to cling to what is good: kindness, patience, and generosity.
Paul also encourages us to honor others above ourselves. How often do we think of our own convenience first when we’re in a hurry to get through the checkout line? But the call here is to consider others—others who might need a smile, a kind word, or just a moment of grace. It’s in those moments that we honor others above ourselves.
As we continue reading, we see Paul urge us to rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, and to live in peace with everyone as much as possible. In the grocery aisle, this might look like recognizing when someone is struggling, whether that’s through the tired look on a cashier’s face or the elderly woman trying to carry too many bags. Rejoicing with those who rejoice might mean celebrating small victories with others—maybe chatting with the cashier and celebrating a good day they’re having. Mourning with those who mourn might mean offering empathy when you see someone struggling.
Living as a living sacrifice in these moments is about seeing life as God sees it, recognizing the opportunities He places before us to be kind, to be patient, to serve. Every decision, no matter how small, is a chance to reflect His character.
Paul finishes this section with a call to live out the gospel in everything: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is what it means to be a living sacrifice, to overcome the world’s system of impatience, greed, and frustration with goodness, love, and grace. We all have a long way to go before we get there!
So, the next time you find yourself in the grocery aisle, take a moment. Remember that it’s not just about the food or getting to the checkout. It’s about offering yourself as a living sacrifice, not in the grand moments, but in the small, everyday choices. When you choose patience, kindness, and humility, you are offering your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Every choice to love, every act of grace, is worship. And that is the true heart of being a living sacrifice.
top image done by deepimg.ai as per my instructions.