What is God’s Will for Me In This? (Romans 12:1-2)

How many times have you wondered what the will of God was? All believers want to please the LORD (perhaps in varying degrees based on spiritual maturity), but so many struggle with what is the will of the LORD? With numerous teachings from intelligent and experienced people, opinions offered by friends and family, and so much information readily available at the click of an internet search result, how does one know what God wants you to do in a particular situation? Does the Bible really always give me the answers to all my questions?

Having provided instruction that weaves through what the Church has categorized as Paterology ¹, Christology², Pneumatology³, Bibliogy⁴, Hamartiology⁵, Soteriology⁶, Eschatology⁷, Israel⁸ (their past, present and future), and Ecclesiology⁹, Paul wants his readers to know that knowledge of these things alone is not sufficient! Refer to the summary list of doctrines found in the first 11 chapters of Romans.

But what do you do with all of this doctrine and why teach it?

Works and knowledge of the truth do not give you salvation from the penalty of sin! – AND – a profession of faith in Christ without fruit and knowledge (in the time God has given you) is not a possession of saving faith.

Yes, there is an exceptional type of “thief on the cross” salvation by God’s grace and election! Praise God for this “in the nick of time” calling that He determines (John 6:44, 65, Ephesians 2:4-5)!

So, Paul has laid the foundation for the home churches in Rome which have been called by the Father, and justified by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone so that they have the knowledge needed to understand the sanctifying work that is occurring within them by the Holy Spirit and their cooperation.

Now (in Romans 12) Paul shifts to the practical application of those foundational doctrines. Notice the “therefore” in Romans 12:1. “Therefore” is there to tie all the previous thoughts into the “so what?”.

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

So, let’s talk about it because to be able to discern the perfect will of God, we need to understand what these 2 verses mean to apply practically.

Although we are only studying 2 verses, this is not like a 30-character sound bite; but, neither is your life! The heart health of believers seems to be worsening with distractions and competing priorities. That, my friend, is a tool to weary the saints! Please take the time to dig deep into this with me and allow God’s Word to transform your thinking! Let’s get into it (it will take about 45 minutes to read and a lifetime of practice).

Starting at verse 1:

• “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Ok, so let’s dissect this because there’s so much here. Who are the brethren? What are the mercies of God? What does it mean to present your body? What is a living sacrifice?

Before we answer these questions, we can first note what is clear about being a living sacrifice. It is to be:

1. service to God which implies that we ought to have a sense of duty or desire to serve the Father’s interests (Even though our loving Father answers prayers, this shows the order of things, it’s about Him).
2. holy (Set apart from everything else and set apart to and for God; special and unlike what is common)
3. acceptable to God which He defines for us in His Word (we do not determine what qualifies as worthy to God).

So, without doing any digging, we can already see that being justified by faith because of God’s grace not only frees us from the penalty of sin, but justification sets us apart to serve Him which is right (since Christ paid for our debt), and to have special fellowship with Him (in a manner unlike any other relationship) in the way that He accepts.

Who are “the Brethren”?

Having a fellowship with the Godhead means that (while believers remain individuals) God sets the terms, places us in His family, and we enjoy the benefits while bearing the responsibilities. As it is written:

• “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:1-3)

Did you notice that everyone who loves Jesus, loves other believers? This is because other believers are in the same family (brethren); born again by God. Paul’s letter to the Romans was to a multicultural group of people who shared the unity of the Holy Spirit. They met together in their homes and they studied God’s word together. They probably disagreed with each other on some things but not on the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1-4) or His Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). They did not escape all earthly hardships, but they did enjoy fellowship with God through Christ and each other.

Let’s look at other references where Paul referred to believers as “brethren”:

• “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)
• Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Consider what Christ said about the family of God:

• “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.“(Matthew 12:50)
• “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.” (Matthew 23:8)
• “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

I love the consistency of Scripture. The Holy Spirit moved upon John to write the following:

• “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. … He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:7, 9-11)

When John said the commandment he wrote about was an old command from the beginning, he was referring to Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5 which Jesus prioritized in Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus also prayed for all who would become believers after His resurrection to be unified in one body, just as the Father was one with Christ (John 17:20-21).

In keeping with this Paul wrote to the Ephesians saying:

• “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV)

Further into Romans 12, Paul wrote:

• “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:5)

What are the Mercies of God?

• “Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful.” (Nehemiah 9:31)
• “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,” (Psalm 103:2-4)
• “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Psalm 145:8)
• “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.” (Daniel 9:9)

The Old Testament states that God takes pleasure in His mercy (one of His attributes).

• “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.” (Micah 7:18)

Paul also highlights this attribute in the following verses. In considering these passages, we can see that the exercise of His mercy is by His personal choice; it is not based on anything external to Him nor because of the objects of His mercy.

• “For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.” (Romans 11:30-31)
• “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:4-10)
• “whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” (Titus 3:6-8)

Now, let’s look at the beginning of verse 1 again:

• “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

Paul is urging believers, members of the family of God, based on the compassion and pity of God that is described in great detail within the first 11 chapters of Romans.

• “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103:10-13)

These are the mercies of God described in Romans :

• In the first 3 chapters, we read about the impact of sin that is found in the nature of every human being and the outcomes of unrepentant sin.
• In chapters 4 and 5, we learn how God made a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. We learn of God’s grace and that faith in Christ is the way to be made right with Him.
• In chapters 6, 7 and 8 we begin to grasp the struggle between the two natures within the redeemed: the new creation nature and the old sinful nature in this earthly walk of sanctification (how the Lord is longsuffering with us while we are being made holy).
• In chapters 9 – 11, we learn that the reason anyone is saved (in any period of time) is because of God’s will and grace.

In light of all that God has done, and all that could have been if He had not chosen to call me by His grace, how could I not be overwhelmingly thankful for His compassion and pity?

Grace gives us what we do not deserve. Mercy spares us from what we do deserve.

Remember, Paul is the Apostle who penned volumes about the grace of God AND He is urging us to present our bodies as living sacrifices.

What Does it Mean to Present Your Body?

Let’s look at some definitions.

One could use the words ‘yield yourself’ or ‘let go of your right to …’ (insert the finish of that statement). Your body (your entire material or physical structure)contains your mind, emotions, spirit and action parts. Please consider the following verses for usage.

• “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. … Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? … I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:13, 16, 19)
• “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

There’s absolute truth and freedom in letting go of your will when it opposes the Word of God or the LORD’s discipline! If anyone wrongly suggests that a human being should absolve themselves of their responsibility within sanctification, a correction by Scripture is needed. Paul appropriately wrote in Romans 12:1 that ” you present your bodies a living sacrifice“. You are the one to do this action.

A believer can not expect to continue sinfully living and expect that God will fix all of their issues without the believer doing anything! And, willful sin has consequences. Yes, God does supernaturally deliver believers from the bondage to sin; He gives the power to change.

Regenerated believers can not say, “But I was born this way”. Nor can we re-interpret Scripture and expect God to yield to our personal and cultural mistranslations. If we say we are believers, we are the ones to agree with Him and yield. We are to “practice” what the Word of God teaches (1 John 3:6-9).

Jesus spoke of this obedience frequently. For example, Jesus said:

• “If you love Me, keep My commandments. … “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:15, 21)
• “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10)

The definition, context of the book of Romans, and the cross-references (above) confirm that “presenting your body” means giving up your claim to your body in order to place its use at God’s disposal to do His will as a slave or bondservant of righteousness for holiness. It means to be physically at His beck and call. No one can faithfully do this without trust and surrender.

One can do this increasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit. This means KNOWING the LORD , His character, and His Word (then being governed by the same).

What is a ‘Living Sacrifice’?

To be a living sacrifice means crucifying the old sinful nature (the victim) on the altar of sacrifice to the LORD. To be a living sacrifice means that the survivor of the sacrifice is the “new creation”, a regenerated nature that lives by the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God’s purposes for His glory.

• “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:12-14 NLT)
• “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)

This “new creation”, regenerated nature is the identity that God has willed; a “royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, … [to] proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who… now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9b & 10b )

Believers have become kingly priests under our Great High Priest and King of kings, Jesus Christ. And, as priests, we offer our bodies (our whole life) in sacrificial service to Him. Our old man is to be crucified by us and consumed by God’s fire while our yielded minds are to be absorbed with the goodness of God’s will, glory and kingdom.

• “Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:27-29)

Remember: Christ died so that the penalty of sin would be paid, that the old man could be mortified. Christ was resurrected so that the redeemed might live as a new creation. Christ ascended so that the Holy Spirit would come to abide with us; the Holy Spirit would remind us of what Christ said and teach us all things.

• “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)
• “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. … Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,” (Romans 6:4-6, 8)
• “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)
• “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2)

None of this is possible without the mercies of God that are outlined in the first 11 chapters of Romans (election, grace, forgiveness, freedom from condemnation, adoption, indwelling Holy Spirit, eternal unity with Christ and the Father, and the hope of glory with a regenerated creation).

Where are you in this? How have you resolved your affections and thinking to offer all of you (without holding anything back) to the Author and Perfector of your faith?

Let’s start this segment by reviewing the study verses again:

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

So far we’ve considered certain components of verse 1: the brethren, the mercies of God, presenting your body, and a living sacrifice. Now let’s examine the remainder of verse 1: holy, acceptable to God, and reasonable service.

Offering your body to the LORD results in a lifestyle change that is counterintuitive to the natural sin bent that our senses enjoy. These changes cause both pleasure and deprivation; but, the pleasure outweighs anything you give up.

A Corruptible Body Made Holy Here and Now?

Think about our Lord. Jesus Christ was incarnated into a human form that could die; and He was tested and tried in every way a human can be tested (but He was different in the way He lived His life). He was set apart from all others to be the special God-Man to God the Father for us. His body was subject to death, but death could not hold Him because He overcame through a sinless life.

Jesus not only paid the penalty for sin and provided redemption and reconciliation to the Father, He taught us how to live in the likeness of His Nature. That is, to live differently patterns and tendencies in this fallen word; to live like Jesus in obedience to the Father.

Let’s examine how the word ‘holy’ was used in conjunction with human beings in Romans. They are:

• consistently referred to as “saints” ^{[Strong’s G40]} (Romans 1:7; 8:27; 12:13; 15:26; 16:2)
• beloved of God (Romans 1:7)
• called ^{[Strongs G2822 – divinely selected and appointed]} to be “saints” ^{[Strong’s G40]} (Romans 1:7)
• interceded for by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:27 )
• in some need (Romans 12:13 )
• pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints ^{[Strong’s G40]} (Romans 15:26)
• to be received in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints ^{[Strong’s G40]} (Romans 16:20)
• to be helped in whatever matter they may require from you (Romans 16:20)
• to be a helper of many believers (Romans 16:20)
• to be greeted with emotional and physical ‘pure and Biblical” affection (Romans 16:16)

When I look at the definition in conjunction with how believers were called holy in Romans, I realize that being a saint on earth does not mean being perfect in this decaying, susceptible body. It means to be consecrated or devoted to living physically, morally, and spiritually in a way that the Godhead approves of which is different than what is culturally normal. This way of living is outlined in Scripture and confirmed by His indwelling Spirit. It means being called out of the fallen world’s ways to be a part of God’s family in which He views you as blameless because of agreement with what He says.

Consider what Paul wrote to the Colossians:

• “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight; if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Colossians 1:21-23)

The love of God (expressed by Christ’s finished work, through Holy Scripture, and experienced through fellowship with the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and other believers) should compel us to live lives that please the One who took pity on us and compassionately ransomed us.

Earlier in Romans, Paul professed:

• “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “THE JUST and UPRIGHT SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, because that which is known about God is evident within them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them. For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:16-21 AMP)

This passage describes who:

• I once was (worthless in my thinking with a foolish darkened heart); and,
• I am now (justified ONLY through faith in Christ, upright in His eyes because of Christ, and producing the fruit of His Seed, spiritually and physically).

To present your bodies as holy, you have to consciously (1) decide not to overlook your sin, (2) assess your thoughts against the Bible, and then (3) accept or reject accordingly so that you are being and doing that which is holy.

• It starts in the heart (the seat of your affections).
• Then it becomes a thought (this is where it needs to be accepted or rejected).
• When the thought is accepted, it produces an action.
• When the action is practiced, it becomes a habit (a way of living).

It is written:

• “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:12-15)

So, if you are a redeemed, regenerated believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father has justified you; yet, there is an internal struggle between the new nature He has birthed in you and the old nature you were born with. He has given you the power by His Holy Spirit to choose what is right. When thoughts come to you based on your desires, you now have the ability to cast down every thought that exalts itself above God’s will. If you do this, you will not act out on random temptations.

• “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

Know that you bear fruit when your physical actions produce acceptable sacrifices to God. In fact, you are offering worship.

If you live with the fruit, walk it out with actions.

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. …And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25)

Since God did not take you home upon regeneration/conversion, He has given you time to produce fruit for Him.

What is ‘Acceptable to God’?

• Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Jesus said:

• “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29)
• “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38)
• “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” … “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:7-8, 10)

The Father said:

• “… This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

John also wrote:

• “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22)

This changes my perspective on what is acceptable to God. In modern vernacular acceptable means satisfactory or passable, but not superior. That’s not what the Bible means.

And when I think about this, nothing we do makes us passable before God; everyone falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:21-24) and needs His grace and calling to have saving faith. It is what God has done for us that gives us peace with God and makes us accepted in the Beloved (Romans 5:1-2).

Biblically, presenting your body acceptable to God has everything to do with being agreeable to God’s will and seeking to be approved or pleasing to Him; just like Jesus said.

Because of and through all that the Father has done we should willfully dedicate our entire beings to (1) putting to death any emotions and desires that belong to the sinful nature while (2) serving His Kingdom priorities as Christ’s under-priest, (3) being sanctified, set apart from the world, (4) seeking to physically serve Him, to be physically well-pleasing to God and follows in the steps of Jesus Christ.

• “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)
• “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-11)

What is Meant by ‘Reasonable Service’

Interestingly enough, the word ‘logikos” is only used 1 other time in the New Testament and comes from the root word logos – (Strong’s G3056):

• “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word,^[G3050] so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,” (1 Peter 2:2 NASB95)

It is only logical to agree with Divine logic which is the Logos. Read John 1:1-5

Jesus said:

• “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)
• “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17 )
• “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
• “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

You see friends, reasonable service is not “works” to earn justification or a right standing with God. It is Divine grace that enables us to serve! And, it’s entirely logical and not influenced by mood!

As it is written:

• “But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” (Romans 7:6)

• “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ….” (Romans 12:2a)

For this segment, I’d like to digest this portion of Romans 12:2 with cross-references and a couple of definitions:

Action	Cross-Reference
This is the stop action: do not be conformed to this world.	“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19)
This is the start action: be transformed	“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14) “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) The word transformed in Romans 12:2 is Strong’s G3339 metamorphóō which is a compound word from (1)  Strong’s G3326 – metá, “change after being with” as an after-effect and (2) Stong’s G3445 – morphóō, “changing form to one that properly embodies with inner reality. The change that occurs as a result of having been with Jesus!
This is the how action: renewing your mind	“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” (Psalm 119:36-37) “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:9-11) “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34) “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16) “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25) “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (1 John 2:24) The word renewing in Romans 12:2 is Strong’s G342 – anakainósis which means a renovation, a complete change of heart and life achieved by God’s power through His Word.

Did you notice the entrance gates to your mind and heart throughout those Scriptures? It’s what you hear, see, touch (and sometimes taste and smell). Your senses are the gates to your mind.

You see, to be able to renew my mind, I need to hear God through:

• the preaching of the Word from Godly preachers and teachers ( Jesus preached and called others to do the same);
• the reading of Scripture ( Jesus, the Son of God as the incarnate God-Man read Scripture);
• praying and waiting on the Father’s response (Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to be with His Father);
• going to church and having fellowship with other believers (Jesus walked with believers to build them up, serve them and wash their feet, share the unity in love, feel the companionship of others who wanted to serve God, sang, and shared the fellowship of the Father and Holy Spirit).

We renovate our minds by ensuring that those people and things with access to our senses (and therefore thoughts) are centred around the Lord, His Word and His kingdom. It is easy to obey (agree with and act on) His commands when we are not conflicted by opposing thoughts.

This is the Bottom Line in Knowing God’s Will for Your Life

• that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2b)

• “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17)

After understanding the meaning of the words in Romans 12:1-2 and how they are used throughout Scripture, the question about knowing what to do in a particular situation is answered. You might ask how these verses solve the problem I am confronted with.

To examine and prove what the perfect will (plan or purpose) of God is for your life in every situation:

As you do these things listed in Romans 12:1-2, you will walk in God’s perfect plan. You will discern the Lord’s will and prove His plan is perfect!

Jesus said:

• “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)
• … “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)
• “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)

• “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. … He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:29, 32)

If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Redeemer and you sense a tugging at your heart, it’s probably the Holy Spirit beckoning you to meet Him, to see Christ for who He is (Saviour, Redeemer, Lord of all creation, eternal God, Son of God and the God-Man). You can use your own words to tell the LORD you believe and ask Him to fill your heart with the knowledge of Him and the power to choose freedom over sin.

Placing your faith in Jesus Christ will establish you in a new life filled with the mercies of God who is good and teaches His children to be overcomers! God has never promised a life without problems in this fallen world because sin has consequences that affect everyone. He has given His children faith, love, and hope in which we have rest, joy and victory over sin through sacrificial obedience to the source of all goodness and love. Get connected to a fellowship of believers so you will grow in this new relationship with Him!

All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.

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Footnotes:

1. Paterology (of Father God) ↩︎
2. Christology (of Christ the Son) ↩︎
3. Pneumatology (of the Holy Spirit) ↩︎
4. Bibliogy (of the Bible) ↩︎
5. Hamartiology (of sin) ↩︎
6. Soteriology (of salvation) ↩︎
7. Eschatology (of end times) ↩︎
8. Israel (covenant nation) ↩︎
9. Ecclesiology (of the church containing people called out by God from every nation) ↩︎