v.1-2
“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. 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 12:1-2
Each day I must present my entire being as a living sacrifice to God. I am to offer up my life to His will; forfeit all my desires and dreams to Him that He might use me according to His good pleasure.
With renewal of mind I must seek transformation into the likeness of Christ, and not allow myself to be pressed into this world’s mold. This must be a daily striving, so that through the strength found in Jesus I might keep myself free from worldy corruptions that would hinder my discerning the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
v.3-8
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” ~Romans 12:3-8
I am an individual member in the body of Christ, and individually we form the Church -which is the body of Christ; we are one in Him (for in Christ we are knit together, and He is the Head of us all).
Each of us have a place, and a part to play, in the Body of Christ. Carefully, intentionally, and with fearful and sober judgement I must seek my place based upon the Faith the Lord has gifted me with (Ephesians 2:8). What are my gifts, O Lord? How may I use them to Your glory? Where shall I serve? Where have I been called?
Whatever they may be, may I use them appropriately in proportion to the faith that our Father in heaven has granted.
v.9-21
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ~Romans 12:9-21
In all things, love must be genuine. To present myself as a living sacrifice to find and discern that perfect will of God, to find my place, I must strive to work out my salvation with much fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).
Do I hate what is evil (especially that evil which is within myself) more and more each day? Do I cling to that which is good; primarily Christ and the things of Christ? Is there a change in my life that is contrary to the sin nature to which I was once enslaved? Do I love my brethren (1 John 4)? Do I love even my enemy?
Though I struggle, may I give each day to the Lord, that I might continue to be transformed into the image of Christ. May it no longer be I that is seen, but Christ in me that is seem by the world around me.
