140824 Lives of Sacrifice to God

LESSON 19 (August 24) Romans 12:3-21, Lives of Sacrifice to God Remember that the beginning of Romans 12 serves as a connective link between the doctrinal foundation of Romans 1-11 and the practical application called for of"living sacrifices" in Romans 12-16. 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. (Rom 12:1.-2) One of the most fundamental aspects of presenting myself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, is growing to think about myself, the people around me, and the opportunities that have been granted to me in the way my heavenly Father would have me to think. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we,though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Rom 12:3-5). What will it look like, practically speaking, if we grow to think, treat each other, and faithfully serve as stewards of our God-given opportunities in the way our heavenly Father intends? Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom 12:6-8) At this point, Paul launches into a "bullet-point" sort of rapid-fire description of what redeemed sons and daughters of cod ought to be and do. These are straightforward. It doesn't get more practical. These meet us at the level of real life. Take your time with the following points. Think through them. Make them personal. How can these God-breathed phrases shape us into men and women who are yielding the obedience of faith as living sacrifices to God? Why does Paul say what he does in Romans 12 "by the grace given tome" (12:3)? Why must we be constantly reminded not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think? Why would the Spirit of God lead Paul to remind these Christians in Rome about the beautiful nature of the one body with many members?