I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-3

Romans 12:1-3 gives us the great truth that the one who has believed in Christ must now live a life that is yielded, surrendered, and turned over to Jesus Christ. In my studying of Romans this recap of what we have already talked about in chapters 1-11 was in the book I’ve reference as I’ve read. It is called a “Walk through Romans” by Donald Dewey based on the works of Warren W. Wiersbe .

I. Motive (the mercies of God). Romans 1-8 is the divine unfolding of the staggering mercies of our God. These mercies are focused in the gifts that He has made available.

A. The gift of righteousness (Romans 1-5:1). God has made righteousness available as a gift to all who will receive righteousness that fits us for life now, and life hereafter.

B. The gift of power (Romans 8:1-17). The indwelling Spirit of God makes us adequate for any situation. C. The gift of assurance (Romans 8:28-39). 1. All things working together for good (verse 28).

2. Nothing separating us from the love of God (verses 35-39). It is in the light of these mercies, these priceless gifts, that this divine request comes.

II. Meaning (present). What is the meaning of this great theme of consecration? What does it mean to me at this moment to present myself? The word is the same used in Romans 6:19 where it is translated “yield.” When I yield, I give over, I present myself.

A. It is an act. At a definite point of time I yielded my life to Jesus Christ.

B. It is an attitude. As the days come and go, the attitud eof our lives should be one of presenting, yielding to Him.

III. Measure (your bodies). Other Scriptures throw light on this.

A. Romans 6:12 – place where sin could reign.

B. Romans 8:13 – place where deeds of flesh mortified.

C. I Corinthians 9:27 – area must be controlled.

D. Philippians 1:20 – place where Christ is magnified. Includes emotions, intellect, will.

IV. Mold (be not conformed to this world). Philips: “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.”

Manifestation (in presenting ourselves, God reveals to us His will).

If you have been studying along. Go over these references. They are rich!

What now? Next we turn to Chapter 12 titled “A Living Sacrifice.” After God has sought us by His mercy and the work of the Cross that Christ has provided to our lives through a response of the heart of man, we are now employed to cooperate with the Spirit of God in presenting ourselves to God and yeilding to Him. God gives mercy and grace, Christ provided the means of salvation, the Holy Spirit make our body His home at our acceptance of the gift of salvation, and we cooperate by presenting ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, holy,  and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

After we have seen what grace God has given and what great sacrifice Christ has made, now Paul shares what we ought to be because of what the Lord has done: Be Transformed!

Thanks for Listening,

Starla