BexNotes: Romans 12:1-5

Romans 12:1 – Sacrifice:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy [set apart] and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

1. The first sacrifice took place in the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve sinned. (Genesis 3:21) 
2.  The first living sacrifice was/is Jesus. (Hebrews 10:5-10)
3. The first conjunction of sacrifice with worship was when Abraham sacrificed Isaac. In fact, it was the first time the term worship was used in the Bible. (Genesis 22:5)

What do you sacrifice? Your body. The conclusions your five senses create.

Romans 12:2 – Renew Your Mind:

“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.”

1.  The pattern of this world is simple: Depravity. (Romans 1:28-31)
2. Why the mind? Because it is the control center. (Proverbs 23:6-8; Phil. 4:6-9; 2 Cor. 10:5)
3. What is God’s will? Salvation, sanctification, and fellowship in waiting. AKA, the opposite of depravity. (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Thess. 4:3, and 5:16-18

Before you can do God’s will (AKA, wield the gifts), you must have God’s mind and will running through you. Out with the old. In with the new. (Gal. 2:20)

Romans 12:3 – Humility and Faith:

“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.”

1. Remain humble. (1 Pet. 5:6, Micah 6:8, Prov. 16:18)
2. Keep the faith. (Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 11:6)

Remember, both of these things urge us to keep God in His proper place: Above us and any gifts we do/do not have.

Romans 12:4-5 – Stay With the Body:

“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.”

1. Many members, including the apostles. (1 Cor. 12:27, Eph. 2:19-20, Heb. 12:1)
2. Body function. (1 Cor. 12:12-31, Eph. 5:21)

God’s design gives us protection, diversity, and a greater sphere of influence.