A living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, 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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
# Majority of writing in this post is the result of my reading the article (Transformed: More Than Meets the Eye by Keith Krell).
I. Offer your body to God (1)
The word “Therefore” shows that Romans 12:1-2 is the conclusion of Romans chapter 1 – 11.
Paul neither commands nor demands but urges (exhorts) brothers and sisters as their brother like in a family.
“in the view of God’s mercy”. Chapter 1 – 11 were about God’s mercy despite and contrary to our sinfulness. Responding to His mercy, “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” is ‘reasonable’ and ‘proper’ worship for us to do.
The expression ‘offer’, differently to ‘surrender’, implies a glad, happy, willing, joyous and spontaneous act.
Here there are 3 qualities of our sacrifice: living, holy and pleasing (acceptable)
- Living
Jesus sacrificed His life for us. So it is proper for us to live for Him. This is ‘living’ sacrifice. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) - Holy
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15, 16) - Pleasing (acceptable)
In Genesis 4 God was pleased with Abel and his offering but was not pleased with Cain and his offering. Abel represents Jesus Christ. We are acceptable to God only through Jesus.
Practical guides1 to offer your body as a sacrifice (I agree with them!):
- Resolve to make worship a priority. Worship is a Monday through Saturday lifestyle that doesn’t have to end on Sunday afternoon. Throughout the week you should worship the Lord and have your own private worship services. Determine today to present yourself as a sacrifice. Don’t put off this logical decision. Every morning declare, “Dear God, because of Jesus, I am Yours.”
- Seek out ministry opportunities. Do some chores, run an errand, lend a hand. Take the extra time to make a visit. Pick up the phone and check on someone who is going through a struggle. Volunteer to help on a project that will show God’s grace to someone else. Look for ways to demonstrate your love for the Lord in practical ways. Why? Martin Luther once said, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” The busier you are, the less likely you will be to give into your illegitimate bodily urges.
- Commit yourself to physical exercise. Discipleship demands discipline. If you want to “present” your body, you need to subdue it. Most godly people who I respect are committed to physical exercise (e.g., walking, hiking, weightlifting, athletics). God wants all of you! This shouldn’t scare you because if you let God have your life He can do more with it than you can.
II. Renew your mind (2ab)
In verse 1, we learned “what” to offer: your body as a sacrifice. Now verse 2 teaches “how” to offer it: by renewing your mind
First, v2 begins with “what not to do”: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world”.
The pattern of this world excludes God and His truth. Morality is ignored and self-seeking is promoted. There are hidden traps and full of deceptions. If you don’t actively and intentionally resist this age, you will be conformed.
Second, v2 continues with “what to do”: “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
How can you renew your mind?
- Saturate yourself in godly thinking. Read God’s Word. But it is really more than just reading. It is a matter of absorbing and interacting with God’s Word. When we read the Bible we must constantly be asking ourselves, “What does this mean for my daily life.” Saturating ourselves in godly thinking also means exposing ourselves to godly writers, teachers, and influences. We need to meet regularly with friends who share our commitment to Christ. We must work to expand our thinking so that we are not just one-dimensional believers.
- Memorize Scripture. But you may object, “Memorization has never come easily for me.” “I’m too old; my mind left me a long time.” For what it’s worth, you can memorize Scripture. The great men and women I know who have been successful at this discipline have merely read various sections of Scripture over and over and the memorization took care of itself. You don’t need a Navigator’s Scripture Memory System. Just read and meditate on Scripture and watch how God hides it in your heart.
- Slow down. It has been said that Americans have three idols: Size, Noise, and Speed! Worship runs in the opposite direction. It reminds us of our littleness. It reminds us to be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). It reminds us that we need to wait upon the Lord. Today would you begin the discipline of renewing your mind by getting away from the hustle, bustle, and distraction of life? Turn off the TV, turn off the radio, turn off your cell phone, shut down your computer, and hear from God.
Paul concludes that you are to offer your body and renew your mind so that you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The key word is “test and approve” (doximazo). Notice, Paul doesn’t speak of “finding” or “discovering” God’s will. He says that you can “prove” God’s will. However, the apostle is not dealing with questions such as: Should I get married? Where should I go to college? Should I buy a new house? Should I move to Seattle or to Portland? These questions are important, but they are secondary when it comes to God’s will. The “will of God” here deals with obedience to His general will. As you obey God’s revealed will, He may well unveil His specific will for your life. But if you refuse to obey His explicit moral will, there’s no point praying for God to reveal His specific, individual will for your life. If you obey the clear injunctions of this text, God’s will “finds” you!
God wants your body and your mind; He wants all of you. Is there anything or anyone that you are withholding from God? Is your marriage and family yielded to Him? Is your vocation His? What about your finances or hobbies? Will you present yourself to Him today and every day hereafter? If you will, your life will never be the same.
It is likely that when you were growing up you used to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school. The pledge is a reminder that you are a citizen of the United States. Romans 12:1-2 is the Christian Pledge of Allegiance. It serves as a reminder that you are a citizen of heaven. You belong to heaven. Will you worship the Lord today by pledging your allegiance to Him?
1[Reference]Transformed: More Than Meets the Eye by Keith Krell
2[Reference]Transformed: More Than Meets the Eye by Keith Krell
3[Reference]Transformed: More Than Meets the Eye by Keith Krell
Is your mind ‘death’ or ‘life’?
Romans 8:6 says “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
The mind determines ‘death’ or ‘life and peace’?!
When the mind is governed by the flesh (sinful desire), it means ‘disconnection’ from God. So, it is “death”.
When I was reminded of this truth, the fact, and the reality, it made difference in my life. I guess this might make difference in others’ lives because no one might want ‘death’.
So, I share this Word with you.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
Love & Delay
2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:4
23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
To visit too soon will be painful for both Paul and the Corinthians. He will be obliged point out what they have not yet done, and they will be pressured to do them by his presence. A delay gives the Corinthians time to do the right thing and means that when he comes, he will be rejoined to these saints in great joy once their obedience is complete. Paul delays to give the Corinthians time to complete their obedience. [Reference: Why Paul’s Absence Should Make the Corinthians’ Hearts Grow Fonder (2 Cor. 1:12-2:11) by Bob Deffinbaugh]
We learn an important principle.
- Tell them what to correct.
- Wait for them to complete the orders (correction) by themselves.
- After their obedience is complete, meet them with joy.
2 Corinthians 1:24 “Not that we lord it over your faith, but work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.”
# Acts 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:5-15
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Our flesh is weak and sin is evil (Romans 7:21 – 25).
Therefore let’s pray the Lord’s Prayer (verse 9b – 13) as our own desire.
And let the Holy Spirit help us (Romans 8:1-17).
Gospel
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
God – There is God, the creator of all. God has his will for your life. So it is important to believe God and find his will for your life. When you put God’s kingdom & his righteousness in the highest priority, he promises to feed you & cloth you. He takes care of your needs (Matthew 6:33).
The World – The world was contaminated by sin. People in the world were tempted by demons. All have turned away (Romans 3:12a).
Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness (Romans 3:13, 14). Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their way, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes (Romans 3:15-18).
Love – God is love (1 John 4:8). Nevertheless, God so loved the world. What is love? Love is Patient. Love is kind (1 Cor. 13:4a). Thus, God was patient about the world. God was kind to the world.
One and Only Son – Parents love their children and they are precious to them. The only child is even more precious to their parents. God gave us such a precious Son.
Belief and Eternal Life – That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Without him, people in the world will be condemned & receive eternal judgement. Good News is that God sent his only Son to save the world. It takes each of us personal belief in him. Do you believe in Jesus?
If we refuse the love of God who sent his only Son to save us, we become already condemned (John 3:18). What is the verdict of the judgement? See John 3:19. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world but people loved the darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God (John 3:20-21).
[cfwc]
