Proving God's Presence

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version (Rom. 12:1-2)

1 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.

Intro--

In chapter 11, Paul’s crescendo of God’s love for Israel is revealed. As he moves into chapter 12, he informs the Jewish brethren that, in light of what God has done for them, something needs to change.

In light of God’s mercy--

OT and NT alike both teach of the love, grace, favor, and mercy of God.

None of us are worthy of it, but then again, that’s the very definition of mercy.

Present self as a holy sacrifice

A sacrifice is something that has been killed.

The “living dead”. We are to be alive [as human believers] and dead {as human sinners]

Do not be conformed

Think “comply”. Conforming means complying.

Society is constantly attempting to get everyone to go along with the status quo

Be transformed

Renewing of the heart [mind] is the modus operandi of the Kingdom.

God’s Word in; let is reprogram our “heart drives”

Proving God’s perfect will

Think “evidence”

By doing the above, we prove God’s presence in our lives. This is our testimony; our witness.