“1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
There are some very important things we need to learn about how a Christian is to live.
Paul encouraged people who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus to understand the importance of living their lives in a pleasing manner. Romans 12:1-2: “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Just as Jesus willingly died for each Christian, each Christian is then to present their life to Jesus as a “living sacrifice.”
What does this mean? Living sacrifice means the physical life and existence, as opposed to death or nonexistence, always with some duration as a living and constant sacrifice. God expects His people to live a life, always, as if they belong to Him – acceptable to Him. That is the very least we can do (“reasonable service”).
Paul went on to remind us that because we are now spiritual creatures, we are not to be “conformed” to this world.
- Not conformed means to be fashioned alike; one is not to be molded by the external and fleeting manners or ways of this period of time, but to undergo a deep inner transformation that can only be brought by the Holy Spirit. Instead of being conformed (changed to be like the world by outside influences), we are being transformed.
- Transformed means that invisible process that begins to take place in a Christian during his/her life here on earth. To be changed from the inside out. How are we to be transformed? By renewing one’s mind.
- Renewing means a renovation which makes a person different than in the past. A Christian is not to think like they always have according to the world’s system.
- Prove means to put to the proof or examine; the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not. Once Christians know how to live, they are to implement those things into their life.
A Christian is to live a life, not like the rest of the world, but different from the world! We are to always remember that our life is not our own, for we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)!
