JUN 24

Romans 12:1-21
Memorise Romans 12:1
“...ye present your bodies a living sacrifice...”

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Dear teen, can you memorise these two verses? I hope you do! These are among the most wonderful of verses in the Bible! More importantly, do you understand what they mean? Even more importantly, do you have them in your heart and practice them daily? 

These two verses come from Paul’s mighty epistle to the Romans. We should all aim to understand this epistle. Martin Luther says we should memorise the whole epistle!

In the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul gave a very detailed and wonderful exposition of the gospel. Then in the first two verses of chapter 12, he tells us what we should do because of what we understand from the first 11 chapters! That is why he uses the word ‘therefore’, for he makes his case in light of all that he has said in the first 11 chapters. As they have learnt about the great mercies of God in saving them, they must now put this knowledge into practice by desiring to offer their lives in gratitude, for their whole lives to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. Our Christian life is a logical life! Right doctrine leads to right practice, from a heart which is right with God! Why do we present our bodies a living sacrifice to God? Why do we have our mind transformed? It is because we are grateful people. It is because we have tasted the mercies of God! We owe God everything – heart, mind and soul. Our daily life is an offering to Him who loves us and gave Himself for us.

Thought: The way to know God’s will is to understand what our Lord Jesus has done for us. As we present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him in gratitude, we will learn to understand His will.
Prayer: Saviour, Thy dying love Thou gavest me. Nor should I aught withhold, dear Lord, from Thee. In love my soul would bow, my heart fulfill its vow, Some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee.