Romans 12 - 2.21.23

SCRIPTURE:  Romans 12:1 - 2  "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

OBSERVATION:  In the first eleven chapters of Romans Paul wrote hymns of praise to God.  He exhorted the believers to humbly acknowledge God's sovereign grace and worship Him by offering all parts of their bodies as a living sacrifice.

UNDERSTANDING: BY THE MERCIES OF GOD:  We've been justified from the penalty of sin.  We've been adopted into God's forever family.  We've been placed under God's grace.  The Holy Spirit lives in us.  God promises to help us, and that we will never be separated from Him.  He promises to be faithful.  So... IN LIGHT OF GOD'S MERCY we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.  That means that OUR WILL must bring OUR BODY as a living sacrifice to God.  "The body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master." (Enduringword.com).

In the Old Testament every sacrifice had to be holy and acceptable to God.  There had to be NO defect!  The animal couldn't be lame, blind, or have any defects at all!.  Jesus took ALL our sins and impurities upon Himself when He hung on the cross and died, and now, to those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior, God sees us holy and righteous through the lens of Jesus' holiness and perfection! 

LIFE APPLICATION:  I live in this world, but I am not of it!  I am transformed by the renewing of my mind, not according to my feelings or on anything that I do. My feelings and what I do are insufficient foundations for the Christian life.  I am transformed, and my mind is renewed as I spend time in God's presence.  The transformation happens on the inside, and the proof of my transformation is evidenced on the outside as I live my life according to God's will.  I am only able to know what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is as my mind is renewed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.  

I pray, in view of God's mercy and grace, that I will discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God is by surrendering in obedience to His will, and by allowing myself to be changed through the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. 

- Robin Orefice