The Righteousness of God: Living Sacrifices

Therefore. Doctrine leads to duty. Theology produces ethics. In view of God's mercy (chapters 1-11), offer yourselves as living sacrifices.

This is your true and proper worship. Not ritual but self-offering. Not ceremony but consecration.

Living sacrifices

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

Therefore connects doctrine to practice. In view of God's mercy motivates ethics.

Living sacrifice contrasts with dead animals. We offer ourselves, alive and ongoing. Holy and pleasing describes acceptable worship.

True and proper worship is not ritual but self-offering. Christian living is worship.

Offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice.

Do not conform; be transformed

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Negative: do not conform (be molded by the world). Positive: be transformed (undergo metamorphosis).

Transformation comes through mind renewal. The renewed mind discerns God's will: good, pleasing, and perfect.

Christian living flows from transformed thinking. Change the mind, and behavior follows.

Transformation comes through renewing your mind.

Sober judgment

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."

Humility begins with accurate self-assessment. Do not think more highly warns against pride.

Sober judgment means sound thinking. Faith is distributed by God in measure. This prevents boasting; all is grace.

Think of yourself with sober judgment.

One body, many members

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

The body metaphor illustrates unity and diversity. One body, many members. Each member has a distinct function.

Diversity is by design. We are one body in Christ. Though many, we are united. Each member belongs to all the others. This creates interdependence.

We are one body with many members.

Use your gifts

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith."

Gifts are grace-enabled abilities. They differ according to God's distribution.

If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Exercise your gift in its proper sphere. Use what you have been given. Manner matters as much as action.

Use the gifts God has given you.

Sincere love

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

Sincere love is without hypocrisy. Love is both affection and moral conviction.

Hate evil (abhor it). Cling to good (glue yourself to it). Love discerns between good and evil.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Love sincerely, hate evil, cling to good.

Joyful, patient, faithful

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Three commands: joyful hope (rejoice in confident expectation), patient affliction (endure suffering without complaint), faithful prayer (persevere in intercession).

These sustain Christian life through trials.

Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Empathy

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Empathy in joy and sorrow. Rejoice with rejoicers (share joy, not envy). Mourn with mourners (share grief, not indifference).

This is emotional solidarity. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Share both joy and sorrow.

Overcome evil with good

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone."

No retaliation. Evil for evil is forbidden. Be careful to do what is right publicly. Christian conduct should be above reproach before all.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Peace is the goal, but it is not always achievable.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.

Vengeance belongs to God, not us.

Feed your enemy

"On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'"

Overcome evil with good. Feeding enemies is radical love.

Burning coals may refer to shame leading to repentance, or unexpected kindness that melts hostility. Either way, love defeats hatred.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is the way of the cross. Evil is defeated not by more evil but by good.

Overcome evil with good.

Final exhortation

Romans 12 shifts from doctrine to duty, from theology to ethics. In view of God's mercy, offer yourselves as living sacrifices.

Do not conform to the world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Think of yourself with sober judgment.

We are one body with many members. Use your gifts. Love sincerely. Hate evil. Cling to good.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Do not repay evil for evil. Do not take revenge. Instead, feed your enemy. Overcome evil with good.

This is true worship: offering yourself to God and living out the gospel in every relationship and circumstance.

Closing prayer

Father, in view of Your mercy, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Transform us by renewing our minds. Help us to use our gifts, love sincerely, and overcome evil with good. May our lives be true worship, pleasing and acceptable to You. In Jesus' name, amen.