November 19, 2013

{Day 19} Saved and Called: Living Sacrifices

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.
There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

Over the rest of this week, we'll look at other New Testament passages that instruct us, God's people, on how to live the holy or set-apart life.  I pray that you're getting the same impression as I am, that we are utterly dependent on God the Father, Son, and Spirit to life lives worthy of the call He has placed on our lives and that He will always be drawing us closer to Himself, changing us as we walk the path of obedience.  It has been curious to me at times during this series to find myself in a situation thinking, Oh, this is not the holy way God wants me to act, or Lord, I can see how you've prepared me for this moment with what I've been learning in Your Word.  How exciting when the Spirit stirs in our hearts, in conviction or encouragement; we know God is at work in us!

Have you had any moments like that this month?  Perhaps you've simply been "interrupted by grace" or perhaps God's Word has come to you in a specific way.  Whatever the case, I'd love to hear about it!

Now, onward and upward with today's passage!  Romans 11:33-12:2

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.
 
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.


I include the end of chapter 11 because chapter 12 begins with the word Therefore.  When I was learning inductive Bible study skills in InterVaristy during college, one teacher said, We have to ask, What's the therefore, there for?


What is it there for in Romans 12?  To point back to Paul's doxology at the end of chapter 11, which follows eleven chapters(!) of Paul laying out the gospel for the Romans.  He's transitioning into the "Christian Living" section of the letter, and he wants to be very clear about why God's people should pursue the holy life:

BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE, and further, BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS, I urge you brothers and sisters, IN VIEW OF HIS MERCY to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

So, what does that mean?

From when we wake up in the morning, till our heads hit the pillow at night, we offer ourselves to the Living God in worship.  That includes time spent doing "God things" and the most mundane activities of our day: washing dishes, driving to and from work, getting ready for the day, and ready for bed.

Okay, that sounds pretty cool, but how do we make even our teeth brushing an act of worship?

I agree, maybe that sounds a little overly-spiritual.  But then we read' be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  All day long we are thinking.  Thinking, thinking, thinking.  Are we conforming to the pattern of the word (worry, fear, doubt, anxiety, complaining, thanklessness, comparing ourselves to others, believing half truths or untruths) or are we making a way for the Lord to transform us by the renewing of our minds, taking every thought captive for Christ?

Friends, it is so easy to conform to the pattern of the world, because it is always before us and because sin dwells in our hearts.  Scripture tells the wonderful story of restoration to a right and Godly way of thinking that can transform us into living sacrifices, constantly worshiping our God.



I love the final thought in these verses: we will be able to test and approve God's will.  Offering up our bodies to God's service and our minds to His transforming Truth will increasingly help us to discern and follow God's will.

I know a lot of Christians who would LOVE to know "God's will for their lives!"  Maybe you are one of them.  Remember how I mentioned the means of grace a few days back?  Start there.  Every step we take in God's direction makes it easier to move in that direction with the next step.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.


PS  Tomorrow: The fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5!


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