Sermon Transcript By Felix Osei Kufour
Romans 12:1-2
The primary theme running through this epistle which is Paul’s letter to the Romans is the revelation of God’s righteousness in His plan for salvation, what the Bible calls the gospel:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16–17)
Paul showed how human beings lack God’s righteousness because of our sin (1–3), receive God’s righteousness when God justifies us by faith (4–5), demonstrate God’s righteousness by being transformed from rebels to followers (6–8), confirm His righteousness when God saves the Jews (9–11), and apply His righteousness in practical ways throughout our lives (12–16). And today we would look at the topic “Set Yourself Apart”. To set ourselves apart means to separate ourselves from something. And in this context, it is to separate ourselves from sin. Because of all God has done for sinners, Christians are expected to separate themselves from a sinful world.
To beseech can also mean to exhort, encourage or counsel. What then is the writer(Paul) counselling or encouraging us on? In Chapter 11:36, the Apostle acknowledges that God is the source and sustainer of all things that exists. And since all things are for HIS glory, we must respond by offering ourselves for that purpose. Paul bessech “by the mercies of God.” God’s mercy means HIS pity,compassion and kindness towards people. HIS mercy shows up in the believer’s life at salvation and in forgiveness (Titus 3:5).
Millard Erickson, a professor of theology describes God’s mercy as “his tender hearted loving compassion for HIS people. It is HIS tenderness of heart toward the needy. If Grace contemplates humans as sinful, guilty and condemned, mercy see them as miserable and needy”. Romans 5:6 is a very good example of God’s mercy towards man.
And by this mercies of God, the Apostle encourages us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God.
How do we present our bodies therefore?
Under the old covenant, God required animal sacrifices to provide a temporary covering of sins(Leviticus 4:5), but because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice the old covenant sacrifices are no longer of any effect.(Hebrew 9:11) and that for those in Christ, the only acceptable worship (using our minds and hearts and bodies to express the work of God and all he is for us in Christ), is to offer ourselves completely to the Lord. And we can do so by;
a. Becoming slaves to righteousness and not sin(Romans 6:19)
b. Denying ourselves of this world (1 John 2:16) and taking up HIS cross as we follow HIM (Matthew 16:24)
Our reasonable service
Reasonable comes from the Greek word Logikal, which can also mean appropriate or logical or sensible. Paul describes the worship of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord as the sensible or appropriate lifestyle or worship that God requires.
Transformation of Mind
The second precept is this, that we do not take other men’s opinions or conduct as a rule of life but that we wholly renounce this world, and set before us as our mark the will of God as is manifested and revealed to us in HIS word. This kind of transformation can occur only as the Holy Spirit changes our thinking through consistent study and meditation on scriptures (Psalm 119:11). The renewed mind is one saturated with and controlled by the word of God.
*And just like how the sacrificial animals were to be without blame (Leviticus 22:19), so should the believer be, without spot and blemish. So that our lives may be acceptable and pleasing before the Holy Lord. “A man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy HIM forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism), our lives are to be lived to the pleasing of the Lord and him alone.
How should one respond to this?
By trusting in Christ’s finished work of salvation that is fulfilled through HIS ultimate sacrifice which has satisfied God’s covenant with us. And that by trusting in HIM, we also satisfies God’s covenant with man.
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