Our Reasonable Service...

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2, NKJV

Paul broke into praise at the close of chapter eleven, declaring that “of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (11:36) He uses this doxology as a springboard from which to launch into the practical portion of his epistle. If all things - including we ourselves - are of God, through God, and to God, doesn't it make sense that becoming living sacrifices (12:1) is our reasonable service? Under the old covenant, a sacrifice - usually an animal - was something given wholly to God. The animal would be killed, with parts of it burned on the altar and the rest eaten by the priests and the ones who brought the sacrifice. But believers are living sacrifices - we die only the sense that we die to ourselves, our old man of sin, as we give ourselves wholly to the Lord. In so doing we find ourselves sharing in the fullness of the life of God as we conform not to this world, but to the likeness of His Son. Becoming a living sacrifice is not easy; it is a battle. The way we fight that battle is by renewing our minds with the word of God (the truth) so that, little by little, we come more under the influence of His Holy Spirit. You recognize someone who is filled with the Spirit! Their lives are markedly different - they're more alive, more joyous, more loving, more peaceful, more gracious...more complete. This kind of living proves God's will to be what He says it is: good, acceptable, and perfect. No, it's not easy giving one's self wholly to Him. It's easier to just jump off the altar. But when you do obey and you do die to yourself in, say, one particular battle, you come through on the other side with experiential knowledge of just how much it is to be doing it God's way than your way. This knowledge gives you courage to obey again and again and again, as you watch your life and your heart transformed by the power of God.

by Rebecca