THE WILL OF GOD, Part 2
“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies – presenting all your members and faculties – as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world – this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind – by its new ideas and its new attitude – so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is good and acceptable and perfect (in his sight for you). Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified version)
In these two verses of scripture we will find six things that constitute the acceptable and perfect will of God. First, we need to present our bodies to God. This is something that God cannot do for you; neither will he make you do it. It is an act of our will. Your body no longer belongs to you. “Do you not know that your body is the temple – the very sanctuary – of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a gift) from God? You are not your own. You were bought for a price – purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made his own. So then honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. (Amplified Bible) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defiles the temple of God , him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 so, when you present your body to God, as a living sacrifice, you are walking according to the will of God.
Next, we make our bodies holy. “Therefore, since these (great) promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring (our) consecration to completeness in the (reverential) fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1. Note: we must cleanse ourselves. “What agreement (can there be between) a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So, come out from among (unbelievers), and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not (any) unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor.” 2 Corinthians 6:16-17. (Amplified Bible) [Read: Isaiah 52:11; Exodus 25:8, 29:45, Leviticus 26:12; Ezekiel 37:27; Jeremiah 31:1]
By presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice and making ourselves holy, God accepts our sacrifice because it is very pleasing to Him. It pleases God when we make an intelligent choice to worship him in that way. The more we learn about God, the deeper our commitment to him gets the greater the worship will be. In other words, presenting our bodies as a sacrifice is not a one time deal. Each day we must choose to place our bodies on the altar of God and each day we must die to self.
Do not be conformed to this world, it is not our home. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Adjust your thinking to the mind of God. Meditate on the Word of God. Study the Word and speak the Word. As you do, you will change from the inside out. Your life will change. “Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect (complete)”, Romans 12:2 (J.B. Phillips)
In His Service,
Rosita
