Consecrated Living

Romans 12:1-2

by Dr. Stephen F. Olford

Introduction: The whole burden of the apostle Paul in this 12th chapter of Romans, and particularly in these first two verses, is to show that the purpose of our salvation is that we might be truly surrendered to all the will of God. His theme is the surrender of the believer's life. Consider:

I. The Divine Obligation to Surrender (Romans 12:1)

The obligation is occasioned by:

1) The Revelation of Divine Love (Romans 12:1)

Mercy is love in action extended to an inferior. Notice that it is "mercies"

in the plural. In the previous chapters the apostle has unveiled the matchless love and mercy of God as seen in Christ (see Rom. 3:24; 5:8, 20; 6:23; 8:1,29-30,38-39).

2) The Expectation of Divine Love (Romans 12:1)

True gratitude requires expression. A person who has been saved, but has never surrendered to God, is one who has never seriously considered the revelation and expectation of divine love.

II. The Divine Order of Surrender (Romans 12:1)

The apostle insists that the act as well as the attitude of surrender of the sacrifice must be totally offered, and then worthily offered.

1) Totally Offered

"Present" means "yield" and suggests the handing over of a gift. It is the voluntary response of the believer to the love, grace and mercy of God. Here the body stands for the complete man, including spirit and soul. It symbolizes the giving over of everything.

2) Worthily Offered

This sacrificial phrase carries with it the thought of the burnt offering.

That is, an offering wholly consumed. It should be a living sacrifice which is intelligently, spiritually, continually, alive. Secondly, it should be a holy sacrifice. We cannot offer to the Lord that which cost us nothing.

Third, it should be a pleasing sacrifice.

III. The Divine Object in Surrender (Romans 12:2)

The object of the believer's surrender is twofold:

1) The Transformation of the Believer's Character (Romans 12:2)

While the believer maintains an attitude of surrender, a daily change takes place both negatively and positively. Negatively, nonconformity to the world. Positively, true conformity to Christ.

2) The Regulation of the Believer's Conduct (Romans 12:2)

The believer's conduct is to be good, acceptable, and perfect. There is no greater joy on earth or in heaven than the realization of the will of God.

Conclusion: We have seen that if a life is truly surrendered, it is to be a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice, evidenced not only in the transformation of character but the regulation of conduct. May we know in experience the divine obligation to surrender, the divine order of surrender, and the divine object of surrender.