I'M Saved! Now What? wk1

Im Saved Now What?

Romans 12:1 CSB

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

As the goal of redemption or salivation was shown to be not only justification but also sanctification, so the ethics of the God kind of righteousness is a life of holiness—Christlikeness, which is Godlikeness, which is fullness of life. This is presented in chapter 12 under the concepts of commitment to God . Step one is responding to the mercies of God  by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God[1]  That means complete and total surrender. It’s the difference between what a chicken and a pig bring to a bacon-and-egg breakfast. The chicken makes a contribution; the pig gives everything. What we often try to do with God is give an egg here and an egg there, but God wants sacrifice—the ham and bacon. Only total surrender can be called true worship. 

 By the mercies of God reminds us that we do this because of the mercy shown to us by God (described well in Romans 1-11), and that we are only able to offer ourselves to God as He works His mercy in us. God commanded us to do this, and He makes it possible for us to do it. Think of all the mercies of God Paul has explained to us thus far:

· Justification from the guilt and penalty of sin.

· Adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ.

· Placed under grace, not law.

· Giving the Holy Spirit to live within.

· Promise of help in all affliction.

· Assurance of a standing in God’s election.

· Confidence of coming glory.

· Confidence of no separation from the love of God.

· Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness.

In light of all this mercy – past, present, and future – Paul begs us to present your bodies a living sacrifice. “We must believe that these Divine mercies have persuasive powers over our wills.  It is best to see the body here as a reference to our entire being. Whatever we say about our spirit, soul, flesh, and mind, we know that they each live in our bodies. When we give the body to God, the soul and spirit go with it. Present your bodies means that God wants you, not just your work. You may do all kinds of work for God, but never give Him your self.   the Bible says that our will must bring the body as a living sacrifice to God. The body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. Keeping it at God’s altar as a living sacrifice keeps the body where it should be. An ancient Greek never thought of presenting his body to God. They thought the body was so unspiritual that God didn’t care about it. Paul shows here that God is concerned about our bodies. 

1Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that God bought our bodies with a price. 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body* and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:20 CSB

20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

 A living sacrifice: First century people, both Jews and pagans, knew first-hand what sacrifice was all about. To beg that they make themselves a living sacrifice was a striking image.

· The sacrifice is living because it is brought alive to the altar.

· The sacrifice is living because it stays alive at the altar; it is ongoing.

f. Holy, acceptable to God: When we offer our body, God intends it to be a holy and acceptable sacrifice. The standard for sacrifices made to God under the New Covenant are not any less than the standard under the Old Covenant.

i. In the Old Testament, every sacrifice had to be holy and acceptable to God

· He shall bring a male without blemish (Leviticus1:10). 10 'If his offering [is] of the flocks--of the sheep or of the goats--as a burnt sacrifice, he shall bring a male without blemish.

Leviticus 1:10 CSB

10 “But if his offering for a burnt offering is from the flock, from sheep or goats, he is to present an unblemished male.

· But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God .  The holiness we bring to the altar is a decision for holiness, and yielding to the work of holiness in our life. As we present our bodies a living sacrifice, God makes our life holy by burning away impurities.

There were two basic kinds of sacrifice in the old order: one to seek reconciliation with God through offerings for sin or trespass and one to celebrate the reconciliation and grace already obtained by whole burnt-offerings and peace-offerings. Here Paul exhorts to a New Testament adaptation of the latter. We are exhorted to offer our whole bodies to God as the proper celebration of the reconciliation provided in the mercies (sacrifice) of God for us. Once we offer ourselves to God, our relationship to the world is altered. Paul urges us not to be conformed to this age, meaning the world system that leaves God out, but to be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind. Notice that both commands are passive. We aren’t conforming or transforming our minds. Someone else is. When God has all of us, and when the world has none of us, God does the work of renewing our confused minds. He brings our thoughts in line with his own so that we think God’s thoughts after him (see 1 Cor 2:16). . 16 For

1 Corinthians 2:16 CSB

16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

who has known the Lord’s mind,

that he may instruct him?,

But we have the mind of Christ[2]

God has a goal in renewing our minds. This renewal allows him to merge his thoughts with our thoughts so that he can bring his plans into our lives. He calls it the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. God has a purpose and a plan for each of our lives—one that finds us when we are fully surrendered. But as we’ll see in the following verses, that purpose isn’t just about us. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind: This is the opposite of being conformed to this world. The battle ground between conforming to the world and being transformed is within the mind of the believer. Christians must think differently. “I don’t want to be conformed to this world. I want to be transformed. How do I do it?” By the renewing of your mind.  This is the ancient Greek word metamorphoo – describing a metamorphosis. The same word is used to describe Jesus in His transfiguration. This is a glorious transformation! The only other place Paul uses this word for transformed is in 2Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:18 CSB

18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. For Paul, this transformation and renewing of our minds takes place as we behold the face of God, spending time in His glory.  Prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God: As we are transformed on the inside, the proof is evident on the outside, as others can see what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is through our life. Paul here explains how to live out the will of God:

· Keep in mind the rich mercy of God to you – past, present, and future (by the mercies of God).

· As an act of intelligent worship, decide to yield your entire self to Him (present your bodies a living sacrifice).

· Resist conformity to the thoughts and actions of this world (do not be conformed).

· By focus on God’s word and fellowship with Him (be transformed by the renewing of your mind).

 Then, your life will be in the will of God. Your life will prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

You may know what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is, but you can’t prove it in your life apart from the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.