By Audrey Bauman

To start Romans 12 today, I’m going to post three different translations of the first two verses. Translation is a difficult process – getting the right English words that correctly express the meaning in the original language.  I like reading a few translations because I feel as though I understand what is meant better when I look at the words chosen by various translators.

The first two verses in Romans 12 are well known verses.   They are the transition verses between the first 11 chapters that outline the theology of the Christian faith and the last four chapters that discuss the practical application of our faith – how all that information affects our day-to-day lives.

We’re going to spend a couple of days on these two verses because they open up so many ideas about living in a way that pleases God.

Romans 12: 1 - 2

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  (NLT)

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.  (ESV)

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”   (NASB)

Paul tells us to give our bodies to God as a “living sacrifice”.   That word – sacrifice – would certainly stand out to the Jews who were accustomed to the temple sacrifices. Now with Jesus’ final sacrifice on the cross for sin, we are encouraged to be “living sacrifices”.

We started reading and thinking about Romans in November 2024.  These devotions haven’t been a ‘quick thought for the day’ kind of devotions.  There’s been a lot of slugging through chapters that really make one think.  Yet that is the foundation for real worship according to the two verses we’re looking at today.  When we realize the pathetic condition we’re in as human beings (far from the perfection of God), and when we realize how much God has done for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and when we understand the amazing gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit – then we can truly worship and please God.

The verses tell us to give or present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. What does that mean? The Old Testament sacrifices were animals that were killed and presented to God on an altar. Today, we are to present our bodies by giving all of ourselves to God - alive but given to God. We are to give God our hearts, minds, hands, thoughts, attitudes - all the parts of what makes us human. We are to give up control of all these things and hand them over to God. Our worship of God is not just a Sunday morning thing where we are happy to come with other Christians to learn about him and worship him with music. It's an everyday, every hour thing. We want God to control all that happens in each and every day.

What does that mean in practical terms? It means we start our day talking with God and thanking him for whatever is coming up that day. At some point(s) in the day we pray and we read God's Word. It's in our Bible that we discover who God is and what he treasures the most. 1 Timothy 3: 16 - 17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (NLT) Reading our Bible and grasping what God wants is so important.

We can also think about God's characteristics and how we can become more like him. Think about all the things this world wants us to concentrate on: things that satisfy our physical needs, things that make us feel more comfortable, things we enjoy, things that make us feel more important. I don't think that God wants us to live miserable lives but he does concentrate on what motivates us - what we are living for.

Galatians 5: 22 - 25 gives us practical ideas of what God loves. "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." Do those characteristics show up in your life? Do you need to ask God's help to develop one/some of them?

Let's read that first verse in Romans 12 again: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."

Perhaps you could find some time today to think about what God has done for you, and reflect on how you express your love and devotion to him in your life. You might want to praise him in some way.  If you love music, go to YouTube and type in "praise songs". you'll find some excellent songs to listen to. You might also want to ponder how much you actually turn your life over to him  on any given day.

Our song for today is What a Beautiful Name It Is by Hillsong.