5. GOOD NEWS OF PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS IN SERVING (Romans 12:1 - 15:13)

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

"Therefore" that is because you are enjoying righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ, let you now show it in consecration and sacrificial service. The strongest possible appeal is based on "by the mercies of God" (Romans 12:1 ). His great mercies toward us are to be turned into motives for living for Him. The more we meditate on the cross, the more we will be motivated to self-sacrifice and devotion to Him.

To make the offering is indeed a matter of the heart, so we are asked to present - it is the action of a free and willing spirit. To present our bodies carries our whole man in service - the action is making ourselves fully available to Him as Master. "A living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1 ). We do not bring the dead offering of the Levitical order, ours is a service of living for Him, and through our commitment, Him living in us. Its a daily surrender to Him that He may use us.

"Holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1 ). Our service is holy because it is service in Christ. Our service is acceptable to God because we are accepted in the beloved. Our service is reasonable because it involves all our rational powers. Our service is spiritual because we offer ourselves by, to, and through the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 "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. "

"And do not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2 ). The word "conformed" (Greek: suschematizo) is only used here and in 1 Peter 1:14, meaning to conform to another, (to fashion alike), to actually accommodate oneself to a model or pattern. Do not accept or adjust your living to the satanically arranged and controlled world order. Don't let your life be shaped by a world order without God.

J.B. Phillips paraphrase catches the meaning: "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould."

"But be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 ). The beautiful shape of "by faith righteousness" takes place by our minds being conformed to God's way of thinking. (Philippians 2:5 ). Then the lovely Jesus will be seen in our transformation into His likeness. The word dwelling in you richly will renew your mind (Colossians 3:16 ). Yield to the indwelling Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18 ). Let your mind and being be under His control. "That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2 )

God's will for us is infinitely loving, wise, and not only right for us, but absolutely suitable and possible, and satisfying.

Romans 12:3 "... not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, ..."