Romans 12:1
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.

Application: 

In chapter 12 of Romans, Paul talks about what our faith looks like with “one another,” a phrase he uses four times here. But before we can engage with one another in a meaningful, personal way, we need to have a strong relationship with God. 

Step one is responding to the mercies of God (explained in chapters 1–11) by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. That means complete and total surrender. It’s the difference between what a chicken and a pig bring to a bacon-and-egg breakfast. The chicken contributes; the pig gives everything. What we often try to do with God is give an egg here and an egg there, but God wants sacrifice—the ham and bacon. Only total surrender can be called true worship.

Once we dedicate ourselves to God, our relationship with the world changes. Paul urges us not to conform to this age, which is the worldly system that omits God, but to be transformed by renewing our mind. Notice that both commands are passive. We aren’t conforming or transforming our minds—someone else is. 

When God has all of us and the world has none of us, God works to renew our confused minds. He aligns our thoughts with His so that we think God’s thoughts after Him (see 1 Cor 2:16).

God has a purpose in renewing our minds. This renewal enables him to align his thoughts with ours so he can bring his plans into our lives. He refers to it as the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. God has a plan and intention for each of us—one that becomes clear when we are fully surrendered.

Reference: Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1136.

To God be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Disclaimer

When God inspires me, I write blogs. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to determine whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so some grammar or spelling errors may be present. I try my best to write as efficiently as possible. Your brother in Christ, Ricardo

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