Romans 12:1-18 "Our Reasonable Service

I. We Present Our Bodies

It Is a Living Sacrifice

It is not like sacrificing animals or doing perfunctory performances

We present them as instruments for rational, moral behavior (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5; Romans 6:13; Romans 6:16; Romans 6:19)

It is Acceptable to God

God’s mercy motivates our behavior.

God’s mercy covers our shortcomings

God’s mercy hollows our efforts.

Such presenting of our bodies is a reasonable service.

II. We Are Renewed in our Minds

The Holy Spirit enables us to discern God’s Will (Rom 12:2).

We become more sensitive to what is good.

We become more watchful that the world does not squeeze us into it’s mold

The Holy Spirit enables us to assess ourselves honestly.

We neither denigrate ourselves nor think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think (Rom. 12:3).

The awareness that all we have is from God makes us humble (Rom. 12:3, 6)

So to be renewed in our minds is a reasonable service. Our bodies and minds are activated by mercy.

III. We Use Our Gifts

We use whatever gifts we have as well as we can (Rom 12:7-8)

Each of us has different gifts from God (v. 6)

We are most ourselves when we use our gifts as fully as possible

We strive to use our gifts for the good of others (v. 5)

We are dependent on each other.

We each contribute to the functioning of the whole body.

What a challenge to repent our bodies as living sacrifice.