We must die in order to live; we must surrender in order to have victory.

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

In the final five chapters of Romans Paul makes application to our lives from the first eleven chapters. In the past I have discussed imperatives based upon indicatives. We see that in the above verses. When you see a therefore, we must see what it is there for. The previous eleven chapters of Romans are the basis for the commands we see in these verses: the gospel, redemption; the mercy and grace of God; new life in Christ; security in Christ; God's loving care for us, etc. Because of all that Christ has done for us, we can confidently trust Him with our lives. He is for us; not against us.

This command to be a living sacrifice fits right in with what Jesus said, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23–24). Also, in His beatitudes Jesus taught that we win through love and humility.

Foundation #1 - Jesus purchased us with His own blood. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Cor. 6:20). See also Romans 5:8-9; 1 Pe 1:18-19

Foundation #2 - We are new creatures in Christ. See 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 6. Since we have become new persons in Christ, we cannot successfully return to the old life. Why waste time with the old life, when God knows what is best for us with the new life? Let's present our bodies to God for His service.

Foundation #3 - By dying to our own desires in order to serve Christ we learn to live. When we put God and people first, we will experience a full and rewarding life. 

The Apostle Paul is beseeching us to present ourselves to God. Paul has already done that. He is fully confident that God knows what He is doing. In the rest of Romans 12 we see how God wants to use us, but it starts with our surrender.

When God called Elisha, he slew his oxen and followed Elijah. There was no turning back. Many had given excuses to Jesus for not following Him. Jesus warned them, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fid for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62. In Christ we are blessed. We aren't missing out on anything. Look ahead and prove that God's will for you is perfect!

Ron Cox - Director of HOPE Ministry