Romans 12:1-2

A LIVING SACRIFICE TO GOD

Romans 12:1-21

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

Next, Paul moves from a doctrinal discussion to a practical discussion, for Christian doctrine translates into action. The first eleven chapters of this letter reveal God’s mercy to sinners in that he sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins. The last five chapters explain our obligation to God. If the early message of the letter is the way we all can come to God through Christ, then the closing part of the letter is the way we all can live for God in Christ. In view of all God has done for us, how can we respond in a way that is pleasing to him?

Rom 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.

Does Paul really mean out bodies? All our fingers and toes? If you think about it your mind may come up with a sin it wants you to do but it is your body that does it so the answer is yes.  Romans 6:13 says:

“ ¹³ Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”

Rom 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

In our world could there be any more temptation than what is out there now? We are to fat or too thin, our cloths are substandard. Sex is just about everywhere and on and on it goes. If we give our thoughts and body to Christ hopefully with time we will start to ignore all the temptations. The closer we get to God here on earth the easier it becomes to live a more holy life.