Revision as of 14:18, 13 April 2019

Passage

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^[1]

Objectives

Introduction

In Romans 12, Paul has just finished an extensive theological treatise in which he has demonstrated that the solution to our sin problem is justification is by faith through which we are all brought to a common salvation. Now in Romans 12 Paul takes the theoretical and makes it practical. It is worth noting the way in which Paul makes his appeal.

The degree of exhortation - I appeal. In the passage Paul appeals, urges, or exhorts his readers.

The relationship of the exhortation - brothers. Paul appeals to the common ground that exists between everyone.

The common ground - God's mercy. Paul notes that it is God's mercy that unites each believer in a common ground. Paul has just finished arguing that the mercy of God is great. Now he appeals to that mercy as common ground and reason for transformation.

As Christians we must take our theological knowledge and apply that knowledge to transform our patterns of behavior, transforming our minds.

Main Body

Living Sacrifice

The greek word for "offer" παραστησαι (parastesai) was the word that was often used for the act of slaughtering the animals in a religious sacrifice to please God.

Holy

Acceptable

Spiritual Worship

Transformation

Renewal

Testing

Conclusion

References

1. ↑ Romans 12:1-2, ESV