Romans 12:1-2 (Sacrifice)
“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” (Romans 12:1–2).
Have you ever read a passage of Scripture so many times you think you know what it means?
Oftentimes, we hear Romans 12:2 referenced as a reminder for Christians to hold firm to their Biblical morals and values. However, do we even know what being “transformed by the renewal of your mind” truly means? What does that look like and how do we apply it?
Keep in mind, Romans 12:1-2 contains the subtitle, “A Living Sacrifice,” because following Jesus demands we live contrary to relative truth which is increasingly prevalent in our society and designed to appeal to our fleshly desires.
Relative truth is nothing more than a belief which ebbs and flows over time. What’s true today may not be tomorrow, and what’s true for one person may not be for another. Therefore, it is impossible to say anything is morally right or wrong because things can change over time based on personal opinion, culture, circumstances, etc.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 16:25).
Conversely, absolute truth from a Biblical perspective is quite the opposite. It establishes a non-negotiable, zero-tolerance line in the sand regarding morality—clearly distinguishing right from wrong based on the doctrine of Holy Scripture.
It is intentionally black and white to differentiate sin from righteousness, and clearly distinguish those who publicly profess faith in Jesus Christ and His Word from those who reject the Bible as absolute truth cover to cover.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
INERRANCY:
Granted, some may bristle at the notion that unconditional belief in the inerrancy of Scripture is somehow a fine print clause in the salvation contract, but consider how ridiculous it is to believe what the Bible says regarding salvation yet refute what it says on other issues.
For if we can reject even one verse of Scripture for whatever reason, then all is null and void because it is no longer absolute but relative. Therefore, one must believe the Bible is 100% true or reject it altogether, because there is no middle ground on the inerrancy of Scripture from God’s point of view.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
“Scripture needs no updating, editing, or refining. Whatever time or culture you live in, it is eternally relevant. It needs no help in that regard. It is pure, sinless, inerrant truth; it is enduring. It is God’s revelation for every generation. It was written by the omniscient Spirit of God, who is infinitely more sophisticated than anyone who dares stand in judgment on Scripture’s relevancy for our society, and infinitely wiser than all the best philosophers, analysts, and psychologists who pass like a childhood parade into irrelevancy.”
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Moreover, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Make no mistake, Scripture is abundantly clear regarding the relationship between Jesus and His Word. Therefore, we are wise to avoid discrediting and disregarding it, and begin renewing our minds with its absolute truth so we can discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect in the Lord’s eyes.
PERSONAL JUDGMENT:
Before we begin analyzing Romans 12:1-2, it is imperative we address the elephant in the room (personal judgment) which most Christians are afraid to talk about.
Personal judgment is one issue which can silence most people from expressing their opinion on issues of morality. Culture has so many Christians, in particular, scared of endorsing what the Bible says that they’re choosing to ignore its truth for fear of persecution. Look no further than The Abortion Debate (which I wrote about recently) as a prime example where countless Christians and even church denominations are rejecting Scripture’s position on the issue.
Granted, that doesn’t mean we’re called to judge others for false doctrine they mistakenly believe is true, but we are exhorted by God to make judgment calls on what is morally right or wrong based on the absolute truth of Scripture.
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24).
The caveat to making judgment calls is that we always apply what God’s Word says to our lives, first and foremost. We can’t preach what we don’t personally practice. Therefore, it is key we eliminate hypocrisy from the equation and welcome the opportunity to be held accountable by God’s Word rather than apologize, excuse, or diminish what it says to downplay our personal responsibility.
Bottom-line, we simply cannot allow our minds to justify sin as righteous to appease our flesh or protect others from reaping the consequences of their actions. God’s law is eternal and He has established a strict standard of righteousness we must adhere to if we profess ourselves followers of Christ.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:18–19).
NONCONFORMITY:
Nonconformity is a difficult topic to address because the depth and breadth to which we apply God’s Word differs from individual to individual. That does not mean God’s standard changes one iota, but merely that our position on nonconformity is typically influenced by our personal experience.
For instance, if you are exposed to family members who struggle with excessive alcohol consumption, you can either conform to the accepted culture in your family or abstain from drinking. However, Romans 12:1-2 would challenge you to not merely abstain but understand WHY you are doing so.
Perhaps it is because alcohol is a personal temptation for you, or maybe you’re determined to avoid being a stumbling block to those who struggle with overconsumption. It could be that drinking alcohol seems foolish or could pose a potential danger if you relinquish self-control, so you avoid it altogether.
No matter the choices made, we must always be prepared to explain ourselves to others so that our “WHY” (click for video link) draws them to Christ where true freedom is found from the temptations of this world. Granted, persecution may come due to holding such firm, personal standards, but we answer to almighty God for the judgment calls we make and that accountability drives our respective decisions.
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:13–17).
CULTURAL OPPOSITION:
The challenge is how do we reconcile issues where Biblical doctrine opposes cultural acceptance. Look no further than the ELEVEN blog post examples I’ve written about recently which detail the Bible’s nonconformist position on a variety of hot-button, social issues in our culture today.
Society is literally hell-bent toward demonizing Christians and Biblical doctrine as the greatest detriments to personal freedom in culture today. Therefore, they will stop at nothing to eradicate Christians from positions of authority and faith-based, conservative values in order to silence evangelicals once and for all.
That is why we ALL have a choice to make: Be swept away by the raging current of relative truth and postmodernism, or stand firm on the Word of God and endure persecution, come what may. It’s not an easy decision, but it’s also one we cannot avoid as followers of Jesus Christ.
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
However, what the world does not comprehend is that as unashamed, born-again, Bible believers, we consider our sufferings only temporary and inconsequential compared to the eternal sacrifice our Lord and Savior made to secure our salvation forevermore.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me (Jesus) before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18–19).
That is why suffering for the sake of the Gospel is such a blessing and honor. Countless martyrs who willingly shed their blood rather than renounce the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior did so with peace in their hearts, knowing they would see Him in heaven moments later.
They refused to conform to the pattern of this world, but instead embraced the absolute truth of God’s Word as their spiritual nourishment. Therefore, we cannot back down from endorsing what the Bible says. Yes, it is convicting truth, but it is also life-giving freedom to those who place their complete trust in its saving grace and mercy.
SPIRITUAL FILTER:
What then is our application? Well, to better understand how Scripture can help us discern God’s will, let us think of it as a colander one would wash food with, considering how Scripture washes our minds with absolute truth.
In other words, when we read God’s Word, we filter cultural ideologies out of our minds and refresh our hearts with God’s life-giving promises which further solidifies our convictions and reaffirms our faith in Christ. For Scripture is the ultimate smorgasbord of choice fruits, and we are wise to understand what pleasures await those who put their faith and trust in the Lord alone.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23).
Oftentimes, we fail to filter out the impurities of our hearts and become lazy in our spiritual disciplines, leaning on our own understanding when we should know better. In those moments, we fail to realize that Scripture is meant to nourish us when we are weary and revive us when the schemes of the enemy have threatened our lives.
If only we would cling to God’s Word as our source of absolute truth, discerning the will of the Father would become much less difficult. We would more easily distinguish right from wrong and not waver when opposition threatens to persecute us for our beliefs.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:103–104).
BOTTOM-LINE:
The reason so many Christians cower from defending their faith is because they are afraid of persecution. The costs are too great, they presume, but who are we to place our creature comforts above God Himself? Is HE not greater?
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Brethren, Jesus died to set us free! Therefore, let us live in peace knowing the victory has already been won. For the enemy can do nothing to harm us eternally, so let our minds be renewed with this life-giving truth so we might live in fear no longer.
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15).
For to be a living sacrifice unto the Lord means we’ll willingly endure attacks from the enemy from every direction, but that’s okay because we no longer have to fight our own battles. God has already done the work for us when He defeated death on the cross and rose from the grave.
Therefore, let us consider our trials with joy (James 1:2) and hold fast to the absolute truth of God’s Word, so that when judgment day comes our Father in heaven will solemnly declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).
