After a two-week departure to consider the monumental decision overturning Roe v. Wade and the idolatry of independence opposing it, we now return to the series, “The Sacrifices of God’s People,” for the conclusion.
The Old Testament sacrificial system was fulfilled by Christ’s once for all sacrifice for sin. With the sin issue settled, the sacrifices of thanksgiving, freewill offerings and peace offerings have taken on new significance for God’s people this side of the cross. We now offer sacrifices of praise, generosity, and good works (Hebrews 13:15-16). Paul refers to this as offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) by presenting ourselves to our Lord in service of His will.
Human beings are not neutral. We are shaped by external and internal forces. Therefore, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices involves that to which we submit ourselves. We must not allow ourselves to be conformed to the prevailing culture which is governed by the Evil One (Ephesians 2:2; I John 5:19). Paul tells us to resist the world’s attempts to squeeze us into its mold. Presenting ourselves to God as living sacrifices results in our transformation. This transformation is a change in character and conduct. It is a departure from the ideals and standards of the world. This transformation is a change that realigns us with the true righteousness and holiness of our God. This change occurs, not from external conformity but inward transformation. It is a change from the inside, out (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16).
Paul explains how this transformation takes place. As the tense of the Greek the verb indicates, this transformation is not instantaneous. It is a lifelong process by which we put off the old and man put on the new (Eph 4:22-24). It occurs by the renewal of our minds.
We need such a renewal because we are born dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) with corrupted minds. Before coming to Christ, we live by the futility of minds with darkened understanding; minds alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance of our sin-hardened hearts (Ephesians 4:17-18). Paul calls us away from that old way of life through the renewal of our minds.
Our minds must be renewed according to the Word of God. Our minds must undergo a cleansing by the washing of the water of the Word (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26). This renewal is a complete revamping of the way we think, restoring the image of God in us that had been defaced by sin. This renewal reshapes our attitudes and objectives to align with God’s declared will for our lives. This is how we are brought from death unto life for Christ’s words are spirit and life (John 6:63).
…renewal is a complete revamping of the way we think, restoring the image of God in us that had been defaced by sin
The will of God runs contrary to the spirit of the age. Only a mind renewed by the Word of God will be able to discern between the competing worldviews of the Evil One and our righteous and holy God (Romans 12:2). While the world fosters pride, God’s Word demands humility. The world says, “Take what you want.” God’s Word says, “The meek will inherit the earth.” The world says, “Repay evil with evil.” God’s Word says, “Repay evil with good.” The world says, “Hate your enemies.” God’s word says, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.” God’s will for our lives is counterintuitive to a world of idolatrous haters of the One in whose image we are made. It is God’s Word that guides us in testing and approving the Lord’s will for our lives so that we might live according to what is truly good and pleasing to Him.
With Christ having dealt once and for all with our sin, the sacrifice we are now privileged to offer is ourselves. The sacrifice that is fragrant, pleasing and acceptable to God is a life devoted to serving the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. However, this is nothing extraordinary. It is only the reasonable worship of the God of all grace; the God who is rich in mercy and boundless in love. To our God and Father be all glory, world without end!
