I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2
LET IT GO
God wants what? He wants my body as a sacrifice? This warnout, wrinkling, graying, stiff body as a sacrifice? How can it be holy and acceptable unto God when it's so imperfect? Are you with me? We're going to find out. Read on, sister.
In the earlier chapters, Paul gave us doctrinal foundational truths. Now he sets his sights on service. He provides us with divinely inspired guidelines for applying the Christian faith. Let's get out our walking shoes and prepare for the journey. We're about to learn how God wants us to relate to others in love. First, we have to get ourselves ready.
God calls us to make a choice about the way we live for Him. Paul is appealing to our will. Our will must bring the body as a living sacrifice to God. Spiritually speaking, our bodies are brought to God's altar, as the priests did an animal for a sacrifice for their sins, in the O.T. Our body houses our spirit, soul, and mind. Therefore, when we willingly offer our body to God in His service, we offer all of us. Present your bodies means that God wants us, not just our work. We may do all kinds of work for God, but never give Him our self.
The sacrifice is living because it is brought alive to the altar; because it stays alive at the altar, its ongoing. In the O.T., the sacrifice had to be holy and acceptable to God: a male without blemish (Lev. 1:10) and an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. (Lev. 1:9) God makes our life holy by burning away impurities. What impurities, sins, things unpleasing to God, does He need to burn away in my life?
Reasonable service is a life of worship according to God's Word. The animal sacrifice was for the person bringing it; it was killed in their place. God requires a blood sacrifice in payment for sin. Jesus paid that price for us.
In verse 2, we are to resist being conformed to this world, to embrace being transformed by Jesus Christ. Don't be conformed or adapt the world system. Christians are to think differently. Don't live based on feeling or be concerned about doing. Transformed means metamorphosis, like a caterpillar changes into a beautiful butterfly; it describes when Jesus' transfiguration (Mark 9:23). We are transformed when we behold the face of God, spending time in His glory. As we are transformed on the inside, the proof is evident on the outside, as others can see what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is through our life.
Paul explains how to live out the will of God:
- Keep in mind the rich mercy of God to you-past, present, and future.
- As an act of worship, decide to yield your entire self to Him.
- Resist conformity to the thoughts and actions of this world.
- By focusing on God's Word and fellowship with Him, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Yes, God wants my wornout, wrinklying, gray, stiff body for His service. It's what houses my soul, mind, and spirit. I realize that I can honor Him with this imperfect body, too. My dedication to God, my attitudes, feelings, and actions start to change as the Holy Spirit reshapes my mind-set.
(Resource:David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible)
LET IT GROW
Once my body is given to God, my mind is renewed and transformed, what is next? God wants us to relate to others in love. I Corinthians 14:1 NLT says,"Let love be your highest goal."
Charles Swindoll said,"Authentic love cannot flow on a horiszontal plane until its vertical relationship with God has been established." (This was meantioned above.)
Here's how we put the Christian love into practice: (using NLT)
1. Devotion: Don't pretend to love each other; really love them; hate what is wrong; hold tightly to what is
good. Love each other with genuine affection. (verse 10)
2. Unselfishness: Take delight in honoring each other (physical and spiritual families). (verse 10)
3. Enthusiasm: Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. (verse 11)
4. Hopefulness: Rejoice in confident hope. (verse 12)
5. Consistency: Be patient in trouble. Real love displays the ability to persevere in the midst of adversity
and trial. (verse 12)
6. Prayerfulness: Keep on praying. Believers who genuinely love consistently bring the needs of their
family, friends, associates, and enemies to Him in intercessory and petitionary prayer.
7. Generosity: When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. (verse 13)
8. Hospitality: Always be eager to practice hospitality. Hospitality means affection to strangers. Openly
invite them into our lives and express to them the sincere kindness of divine love. (verse 13)
In verses 14-21, Paul tells us more: bless our enemies, don't curse them, pray for them; be happy or weep with those who are; live in harmony; keep company with ordinary people; don't think you know it all; don't repay evil with evil; be honorable; live in peace with everyone; never take revenge, leaving it to God; conquer evil with good.
In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor and enemies.
Oh my, I do need reminding of these.
(Resource: Relating to Others in Love by Charles Swindoll)
LET IT GO
Spend time in praise, prayer, and dedication to God.
Allow God's love to flow through me.
Take spiritual inventory using this chapter as my guide. I need to be more_______.
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