“A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS” ROMANS 12:1-2 BELIEVERS LIVING DEDICATED LIVES TO GOD

Concluding Paul’s doctrinal presentation, He is ready now to present his practical exhortation.  Paul pointed to the fact that his exhortation in verse 1 related to his doctrinal presentation given in Chapters 1-11, by using the expression – “the mercies of God” (v. 1).  The mercies of God included all of the acts of divine compassion Paul had expounded on in the previous chapters.  All of God’s work in saving and sanctifying is part of His mercies.

Paul appealed to these believers on the basis of divine mercy when he called upon them to consistent living and service.  As an act of dedication, believers are exhorted to place their bodies at God’s disposal.  When a believer presents his body, he is yielding it for God’s use.  In contrast to Old Testament sacrifices, our bodies are to be used as a “living sacrifice to God.”  Like Old Testament sacrifices, our bodies are to be “holy” – set apart for God’s use.

Also, our bodies are to be presented to God in an “acceptable” or pleasing manner, and should be our “reasonable” or rational service.  Not only should a believer dedicate his body to the Lord, but his mind as well, for the mind directs the body’s actions (v. 2).  Christians’ minds need renewing so that we will not pattern our thinking after the world.  Rather than being conformed to this world, God wants us to be transformed or changed by the renewing of the mind.  As the mind is renewed through prayer, scripture and yielding to the Holy Spirit, the believer will be living the life that pleases God (II Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:22-24).  As our minds are renewed, we will be able to “prove” or test ideas to ascertain whether they are in accord with God’s will.

And if these ideas are in God’s will, they will be “good” and “acceptable” or well pleasing to God.  Furthermore, it will be “perfect” or complete in every aspect to God (v. 2).      Let us truly ask the Lord to help us to live dedicated lives before God and the world by yielding to the Holy Spirit – and in so doing, we will be living a life that pleases God.

May God Bless!