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Romans 12:1-2, Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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.

Just so you know, Romans 12 is probably my favorite Scripture!  It is so powerful.

Paul is saying that because of this amazing gift of salvation, those who receive it should be truly committed to God.  Christ-followers should dedicate their whole life in service to Jesus Christ, become living sacrifices.  This would have had significant meaning to Paul's audience, as the sacrificial system was still alive and well.  But unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, Christ-followers voluntary offer their living bodies, every part of their existence, to the work of Jesus in the world.  They make Jesus not simply their savior but also their Lord. Doing this is the kind of worship that God finds right and pleasing.  We might call this surrendering everything to King Jesus.

This clearly separates us from the surrounding culture.  Living for Jesus rather than ourselves or things of this world is unusual.  People notice.  Paul urges the Romans to not fit so well into their culture but experience life change as Jesus transforms their thinking.  Faith isn't just about the heart and emotions but also about the mind.  God wants to change our way of thinking so that we better reflect Jesus.

Do we fit into our culture?  Be honest with yourself.  Do your neighbors, coworkers, and other acquaintances know that you belong to Jesus?  Is your thinking more influenced by Scripture and the things of God or the national news, politics, and Social Media?  How easy it is to simply blend right into the culture around us.  Paul's words to the Romans certainly ring true for us today. 

Let's pray...Almighty God, we need you.  Lord, we want to walk closely with you, we want our minds to be transformed, but so often we slip quietly into our culture.  Lord, give us the courage and the desire to stand out.  We belong to you.  Lord, help us learn how to give you our whole lives.  Everything we have is yours.  Amen.