“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of
worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to be able to
test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
“. . . I urge you,
brothers . . . “Paul encourages the believers at Rome and later readers to
listen and follow what he will tell them. He also refers to them as brothers;
they worshiped and served the same Father.
“. . . to offer
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God . . .” Paul speaks of the need to give
sacrifices that were set apart for that purpose which God would accept.
“. . . this is your
spiritual act of worship.” When we go before the Lord in worship, either
private or corporate, we worship with our spirits.
“Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world. . .” Paul advises his readers, then
and now, to not mould our lives to resemble this fallen world.
“. . . be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Paul tells us to allow God to change our
outlook, our habits, our thoughts by letting His Spirit our minds and yield to
His working.
“Then you will be able to be able to test and approve what God’s will
is—his good, pleasing and Perfect will “ The outcome of submitting to God’s
shaping of our minds and hearts is we gain discernment and can learn what God’s
will is for our lives. We learn what God wants for our lives is what is best
for us, His beloved children
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graphic:eclakeland.org
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graphic:eclakeland.org