What kind of sacrifice is the living sacrifice in Romans 12?
The living sacrifice in Romans 12 is a holy, living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God, offered by the fruit of our lips rather than an animal or our own blood. It is set apart for God, and He desires this spoken praise continually, first and foremost, moving into other areas of life.
Les teaches that the living sacrifice in Romans 12 is not an animal sacrifice, nor is it the sacrifice of our own blood. It is the sacrifice of praise to God continually, which he identifies as the fruit of our lips. What do you do with your lips? You speak. This is the living sacrifice God is looking for first and foremost: He wants to hear our lips speak praise and thanksgiving to Him all day, every day. Les says this is the easiest way to fulfill Romans chapter 12, and if a believer offers lips of praise to God seven days a week, that believer will also start accomplishing things for God; it works hand in glove. But the living sacrifice does not stop with lips of praise; it moves on into other areas of life. It is also holy, which simply means set apart, not that a believer is a kook or oddball.