A Living Sacrifice
John D. Telgren


I came across an article I had saved several years ago. I don't know where it came from or who the author was. But it is provoking, so I want to share it with you. But before I do that, here is some scripture that goes along with it. The article that follows serves as a good commentary to these verses.

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Rom 12:1)."

"Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. (Mark 10:42-45)."

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal (Jno 12:24-25)."

"You're a grain of wheat...and you're alive?" "So they tell me." "It must be great to be alive." "Uh-huh." "You don't sound very enthusiastic, where have you been staying?" "In the sack (church) with other seeds." "What have you been doing there?" "Singing." "Oh, and what else do you do?" "Pray." "What else?" "Listen to Sermons." "Is that all?" "Well, no. Promise you wont tell?" "Yes." "I polish my nice, shiny husk. Do you like it?" "Yes, it is beautiful. But tell me, is it exciting in the sack?" "Well, it depends on what you mean by exciting. I usually stay in the sack and look at the others. Sometimes I get spilled out, but I get back as quickly as I can." "You're not very big. Did you know that you could be THIS BIG?" "Me? Are you sure? What do I have to do?" "Come out of the sack and be planted." "In the dirt?" Yes, that's where we plant seed, in the dirt." "But it's wet, and dirty, and nobody will see me!" "You're right...It IS wet and dirty, and no one will ever see you again." "But what about my nice, shiny husk I've been polishing all these years?" "You lose it." "What? PUT ME BACK IN THE SACK!"