Daily Bread 2010 - Romans 12
Daily Bread 2010 - Romans 12
Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.
Paul has spent the first 11 chapters describing what it means to be saved by grace through faith, based on God’s Word. In chapters 9-11, he has spent some time explaining how since the Jews rejected Jesus, the gospel was shared with the Gentiles, though a remnant of Israel will be saved.
In chapter 12, Paul makes a huge transition with one word, “therefore”. What he is saying is, ‘in light of all this”, you should…! He then says we should offer first our bodies as a living sacrifice. Again he is comparing the sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament with the living sacrifice a believer makes when they offer their bodies back to God.
Finally, Paul says we should not only offer our bodies back to God, but as in view of God’s mercy we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The word for transform is “metapmorpho” in the Greek. Literally the way we think needs to be completely overhauled or made new. And the key to correct thinking is that it is not conformed or squeezed into the world’s mode of thinking, but that our minds are continually formed to the mind of Christ (cf Corinthians).
This verse has enormous power for us as Christians. It is one of the first verses I put to memory as I sought to become a follower of Christ. It really summarizes the pursuit of spiritual formation to become like Christ. And of course it all starts with God’s grace so it is not about works. It is response to His abundant and never failing mercy that we offer ourselves back to God. If we get this order wrong we will surely get discouraged and not experience the transformation of heart, mind and body God and Jesus want for us.
Prayer: Jesus thanks for laying down your life for us so we might be acceptable in God’s sight. In view of your sacrifice which led to death, help us to be a living sacrifice by giving you back our bodies and minds for your use so we can prove your good perfect will as you change us from the inside out. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.
Paul has spent the first 11 chapters describing what it means to be saved by grace through faith, based on God’s Word. In chapters 9-11, he has spent some time explaining how since the Jews rejected Jesus, the gospel was shared with the Gentiles, though a remnant of Israel will be saved.
In chapter 12, Paul makes a huge transition with one word, “therefore”. What he is saying is, ‘in light of all this”, you should…! He then says we should offer first our bodies as a living sacrifice. Again he is comparing the sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament with the living sacrifice a believer makes when they offer their bodies back to God.
Finally, Paul says we should not only offer our bodies back to God, but as in view of God’s mercy we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The word for transform is “metapmorpho” in the Greek. Literally the way we think needs to be completely overhauled or made new. And the key to correct thinking is that it is not conformed or squeezed into the world’s mode of thinking, but that our minds are continually formed to the mind of Christ (cf Corinthians).
This verse has enormous power for us as Christians. It is one of the first verses I put to memory as I sought to become a follower of Christ. It really summarizes the pursuit of spiritual formation to become like Christ. And of course it all starts with God’s grace so it is not about works. It is response to His abundant and never failing mercy that we offer ourselves back to God. If we get this order wrong we will surely get discouraged and not experience the transformation of heart, mind and body God and Jesus want for us.
Prayer: Jesus thanks for laying down your life for us so we might be acceptable in God’s sight. In view of your sacrifice which led to death, help us to be a living sacrifice by giving you back our bodies and minds for your use so we can prove your good perfect will as you change us from the inside out. In Your name we pray, Amen.
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