A LIVING SACRIFICE

By Edward Burgett

   Let us consider the Apostle Peter’s proclamation in 1 Peter 2:5-9, You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Elohim through Yahshua Messiah. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him, will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” And, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to Elohim, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

   This reference gives credence to the ground work that Yahshua laid down in Matthew 5:13-19, You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world...Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

   Messiah, in Matthew 5:1-12, was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 22 when He took upon Himself the robe of Eliakim, a robe of righteousness and truth. He then went about comforting the house of Israel as the High Priest Eliakim had done. This was during the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians during the reign of King Hezekiah in the year 715 B.C.E.

   Also in Isaiah’s prophecy in the same chapter, we learn that Yahshua would take upon Himself the role of both King and Priest, having the key to David’s house, and that the things of the temple would now become His responsibility. Read Revelation 3:7-12, ...these things says He that is holy, He that is true, He that has the key of David, He that opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens; I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door...for you have a little strength and have kept My word, and have not denied My name...Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my Elohim… See also Hebrews 9.

   In the New Agreement, a remnant would become the temple to which Yahshua would administer. Read 1 Corinthians 3:16, Know you not that you are the temple of Elohim, and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?

   Paul’s teaching in the Book of Romans gives understanding of the work of the High Priest, Yahshua, and the priesthood with which He is working. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohim, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

   Mankind fails in his understanding of Scripture, which involves a priesthood. This priesthood includes the salt, the light and living stones, offering spiritual sacrifices to Yahweh—building up a spiritual house. This is a difficult, but important teaching which must be understood. The Bible instructs man to take dominion over his flesh, and then be willing to relinquish it to a greater power, bringing that person into compliance with eternal truths (Romans 7:14-25; Genesis 4:6-7).

   See also Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yahshua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

   This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh...If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25).

   Mankind, as a whole, has allowed his flesh to rule, causing his societies to fall into catastrophic debacles, which have plagued man throughout history. Man is a two-sided creature, having the creative abilities that have taken him to such great heights in science, art, education, etc., yet his behavior has been on an ever downward spiral. Man has and will continue to fail. As Paul writes, The carnal mind is hatred of the Mighty One; for it is not subject to the law of Eloah, nor indeed can it be (Romans 8:7).

   Carnality can’t grasp the purpose of life. It is only through the understanding of Yahshua’s teaching: The word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s Who sent Me (John 14:24).

   And the Prophet gives this understanding of the Heavenly Father: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways,” says Yahweh (Isaiah 55:8-9).

   What are Yahweh’s ways and thoughts concerning man? How much more shall the blood of the Anointed Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to Eloah, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Eloah. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, the blood of Yahshua, the Anointed, His Son cleanses us from all sin. Sin is lawlessness (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:4; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 3:4).

   Man’s flesh cannot address eternity and, therefore, cannot address the issues set forth in Deuteronomy 30:10-20. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.

   Can the atheist dispute this? Yet he will dispute this teaching: Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call Me good? No one is good but one; that is Eloah (or the Mighty One). You know the commandments (Luke 18:18-20).

   Paul writes, For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of Eloah, but the doers of the law will be justified (Romans 2:13). But a man must first accept this: Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Eloah must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

   Seeking and then finding Yahweh is a two-step odyssey. First one has to address the flesh: For the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh (Galatians 5:17). Eloah is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him (John 4:22-24).

   The first step in seeking Yahweh is to believe He is, then worship Him. Secondly, one must desire to serve Yahweh. One begins by repenting of his or her sins, then being washed in the name of the Eternal High Priest—Yahshua and then receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:11-18; Acts 4:12).

   Genesis 4:7 teaches us that we need to rule over sin (lawlessness) that desires us. Deuteronomy 30:11-14 teaches us that the commandments are very near you in your mouth and in your heart that you may do them. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 18:18-20; Psalm 33:5-6).

   Yet, Messiah says, Without Me, you can do nothing (John 15:1-6). By the Helper that is sent by the Father, the Holy Spirit in Yahshua’s Name helps us in all we endeavor to do in the faith for which we so earnestly contend (John 14:25-26; Jude 3).

   The greatest endeavor we so diligently seek to address is Romans 12:1. In presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice, we become the offering of the High Priest. In the Old Agreement (Covenant), the priest offered an animal (Exodus 20:24). In the New Agreement (Covenant), the priests offer to Yahweh a vessel that is to be used for the work in the Messiah’s vineyard. Numbers 19:15 gives us the understanding that a vessel that has no covering is unclean.

   Isaiah prophesied about the work Yahshua would do with His priesthood (Isaiah 66:18-21), the vessels that He covers and washes (Acts 2:38-39), who are future priests, Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

   Leviticus teaches that all vessels used for the ministry had to be washed. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4,   For this is the will of Elohim, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification (purification) and honour.

   This is what it means to be a disciple of our Messiah. We must understand Isaiah’s words, Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples... Then read John 17:6-7, I have manifested Your name unto the men which You gave to Me out of the world: Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever You have given to Me are of You.

   These teachings escape the majority of the peoples of the world, because they worship the Master Deity, Baal Troop—Lord God (see Deuteronomy 4:28; Jeremiah 51:17-19). They do not understand that Yahweh is not a deity, but Elohim (Mighty Ones—Father and Son). See  John 4:23-24, But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. Elohim is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

   Only a seed or a remnant will serve Yahweh and His Son (Exodus 10:11; 1 John 4; Psalm 22:22-31).

   The remnant will be of Yahweh’s household. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yahshua Messiah Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows to a holy temple in the Master: in whom you also are built together for a habitation of Elohim through the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18-22).

   It is a household—a family—that desires to be a vessel for Elohim, a vessel that will address Ephesians 4:1-32, especially verses 11-13, And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Messiah. This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob (Psalm 24:6).

   Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness (Psalm 95:8). Rather, enter into His service.

   Study to show yourself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth...But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; some to honour and some to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:15, 20).

   Each one of us must search our hearts to see if we are a vessel of Elohim—a living sacrifice which the Eternal High Priest can use for the glory of Yahweh, seasoned, with our lights burning brightly.