Two exhortations from these verses –Present yourselves to God - verse 1 –Don’t conform but be transformed – verse 2 I urge (beseech) you therefore brethren by the mercies of God – verse 12 –“Urge” - to address or speak to - may be done in the way of begging, exhortation, entreaty, comfort or instruction (present, active, indicative) –Used for a calling meant to produce a particular effect –Used to encourage troops who were about to go into battle –Also used in Romans 15:30; 2 Cor. 2:8, 6:1 and other places –“Therefore” ties in the previous chapters – the result of the previous chapters is, “therefore do this” –Who are the “brethren”? Believers –What is significant about Paul’s urging being “by the mercies of God”? The source and power of his urging and exhortation has nothing to do with man’s abilities but God’s mercy and compassion – Romans 15:30 What Paul wants to take place is not through mans abilities but through God’s mercies All that follows is by or through the mercies of God Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7

To present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice –What kind of sacrifice does God want? –God did not want and was never happy with animal sacrifices – (Heb. 10:1-8) –God wanted to fellowship with man But sin prevented that fellowship –Christ presented His body (to offer a sacrifice) to take away that sin (Heb. 10:9-14) –Christ presented His body to do His Fathers will –We are to present our bodies to do our Fathers will (Romans 6:13) –“Present” – to place beside or near, to offer, to put at ones disposal – aorist, active, infinitive Aorist indicates a specific act Active indicates we are the one doing the action Infinitive - of indirect discourse – see supplemental handout pages Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7

–Same word used in Romans 6:13 – “but present...” –Thomas Constable writes, “Positively we should “present” or “offer” ourselves to God and ourselves as His tools to fulfill His will” –The idea is not to present yourselves once for all as Christ died for sin but constantly and continuously –Presenting is not walking down the isle and rededicating your life to Christ nor is it turning over a new leaf –It is by faith presenting or offering our bodies for the Lords use –We are exhorted to willingly turn ourselves over to the One who made us and owns us –“Body” is referring to the physical body Body under the influence of the new nature (Verse two singles out specifically the mind of the body for renewal) –“Living” can refer to two things In contrast to a dead sacrifice a living sacrifice can be continually offered up for the Lords use – constant day to day – one that is lasting We are alive in Christ – present our bodies knowing that our bodies are filled with the life of Christ – not dead in ours sins but alive in Christ Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7

–“Holy sacrifice” Holy – set apart – from God’s perspective in our position in Christ we are Holy, set apart from sin and set apart unto Him for His honor and glory As we are walking by faith, presenting ourselves to the Lord we are a Holy sacrifice because we are in Christ “Acceptable to God” Well pleasing because God sees us in Christ Eph. 1:6 KJV – He has made us accepted in the beloved... Other uses – Romans 14:18, 2 Cor. 5:9, Eph. 5:10 As we are walking by faith, presenting ourselves to the Lord this is an acceptable sacrifice to God “Which is your spiritual (reasonable) service of worship” –Does not mean the best you can do – not to be done out of compulsion –This is rational or intelligent service to God –Spiritual intelligence – spiritually minded based on faith in the scriptures –Bottom line – by faith saying, here I am Lord use me and do with me whatever you see fit. Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7

“Don’t be conformed to the world” – verse 2 –“Conformed” –– to be fashioned according to – too form or mold after something else – don’t follow the crowd (present, passive, imperative) 1 Peter 1:14 –“World” or age - the worlds system, values, interest, principles marred by its spiritual and moral character –Stop allowing the world to fashion or shaping your life style toward the depraved spiritual and moral characteristics of the times “But be transformed” –But – alla – strong contrast –Transform – to form after another – the another is Christ –“the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct” - Vines (present, passive, imperative) –Right now allow yourselves be transformed by the power of God God is the one doing work and the command is to allow Him to do it 2 Cor. 3:18 –The change is from the inside out - to be outwardly what is true inwardly – Christ in us – that our condition would reflect our position – our condition is being transformed Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7

By the renewing of your mind –Transforming happens by the renewing of the mind –To adjust ones spiritual mindset to be in line with the mind of God for the purpose of a transformed life –To make new in quality and nature – to have the mind brought back to what God intended it to be –How is the mind renewed? –Col. 3:10 – new self who is being renewed new self (inner man) would include the mind renewed here is present, passive, participle we are being acted upon – God is doing it! –God is doing the work and what is man’s part: To walk by faith To interact with God’s Word To incorporate God’s frame of reference into our new man (inner man) As we do this the Holy Spirit will recall these truths to us in the situations of life As we act on these truths, looking at things from God’s point of view, it will result in expression and change of character and conduct Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7

That you may prove what the will of God is –Purpose clause – to test with the expectation of approving –Many ask, how can I know the will of God? This is the answer –“God’s purpose in presenting ourselves and allowing Him to transform or change us is that we may obtain practical proof by experience of what the will of God is for our lives.” Hal Molloy That which is good and acceptable and perfect –Good – beneficial in its effect –Acceptable – well pleasing in God’s sight –Perfect – complete, nothing needs to be added to what God has provided Romans Our Bodies a Living Sacrifice – 12:1-2 Lesson # 86 Jim Pool, June 10, of 7