Verse for Thought

Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Q: What is "sacrifice"?
A: According to Wikipedia, Sacrifice is commonly known as the practice of offering food, objects, or the lives of animals or people to the gods as an act of worship. The term is also used metaphorically to describe selfless good deeds for others or a short term loss in return for a greater gain, such as in a game of chess. Recently it has also come into use as meaning doing without something or giving something up.

A: According to Dictionary.com,
–noun

1. the offering of animal, plant, or human life or of some material possession to a deity, as in propitiation or homage.
2. the person, animal, or thing so offered.
3. the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.
6. Also called sacrifice bunt, sacrifice hit.
–verb (used with object)
7. to make a sacrifice or offering of.
8. to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else.
9. to dispose of (goods, property, etc.) regardless of profit.

When we come into the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior and King, we come into a new way of life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." We no longer are to be who we used to be. We are to put our lives, hearts and minds and physical being, up against the Word of God. We are to get rid of that which is contradicting to God's Word and foster the things which are in line with his Word. It's not popular; it's not "cool", but it's the way of truth.

When you hear or read these words "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind", what do you think of?