written by Connie Dunmyer
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV): “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy. . .”
I love a good crescendo, don’t you? It can be in a movie, such as the scene in “It’s a Wonderful Life” where George and Mary share the phone to listen to Sam explain his new opportunity. It’s the moment where George realizes he loves Mary, but it means his life won’t play out 
the way he dreamed. Our hearts beat faster, and we hold our collective breaths. Or music . . . will you ever see the ocean the same after hearing the iconic “Jaws” theme music? Broadway musicals probably build crescendos better than anyone. There’s the scene in “Wicked” where Idina Menzel embraces her new identity as she sings “Defying Gravity”. The crescendo is so great, I thought my heart would beat out of my chest. When she finishes that final note, the audience jumps to their feet as one in cheers and applause. And that’s only intermission. Food can also have a crescendo moment. I doubt there’s anything more iconic than bringing the Thanksgiving Turkey to the table. We all know what turkey tastes like. It’s not a surprise. And yet, it exudes emotions – a crescendo on that day.
Well, Paul just spent multiple chapters (several pages in his letter to the Romans), laying out just how utterly merciful God is – how forbearing, patient, & loving He is to each one of us – from the beginning of time to today. You can hear the music get louder, the timpani is starting to rumble, your heart is beating, it’s building. Let’s take a quick look at this crescendo, the final verses of chapter 11:
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
And then he hits that note – the very point he has been building up to, in chapter 12:1-2 . . .
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual [reasonable] act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer 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.
Speaking to the Church, to Believers, to Christians – Paul says in light of ALL that God has done, I should “offer my body”. In fact, Paul is begging for the reader to do so. The King James Version says “I beseech you . . .” Beseech means to ask urgently and fervently to do something; implore them. It’s an imperative! This is it! The music is high – the angels are on their feet – the heart is pounding!
Paul is begging for me to present my body to God . . . The one that is overweight. The one that is tired. The one that is weary. Yes, that body. My physical SELF. Moreover, he does not say “sacrifice” as in “offer it in death”. Oh no. He’s not talking about the next life. He is talking about this one, here and now, today. Offer it, present that body, ALIVE – living my daily life. I need to sacrifice SELF. Daily. Die to self. Live to Christ. And what’s more he says that the sacrifice of my self is REASONABLE.
Just like animal sacrifice in the Old Testament was to be the best a person had to offer – I must offer my body, my self, as the best I have. Not behaving improperly, but pleasing to God. Paul spent a good deal of time in his letter to the Romans talking to Christians who were living “less-than-holy” lives. He said to them and is saying to me that it’s only reasonable to offer the best I can – a holy body – a holy life – given in service, in my everyday life, to the One Who has given and continues to give me so much.
How do I do this?
I must not be like the world around me and its people. I must allow God to TRANSFORM me – to literally CHANGE me from the inside out. Not by what other people say or do. Not even by trying to be like other church people. But allow God alone to do His transformation of me.
How does that happen?
By the RENEWING of my mind. Not “covering over it” or trying to hide what’s in there. But to make it new again. FYI: This is not possible of my own will and standards. God knows I’ve tried. It is ONLY possible by leaning into the work of the Holy Spirit and allowing HIM to make these changes. Offering my SELF and allowing HIM to change me.
I heard a phrase on Downton Abbey, where Matthew Crawley asks his butler, Molesley, how he managed to get a stain out of his shirt. Molesley replies, “A little of this. A little of that. And it finally yielded.” This is how the Holy Spirit works in me. A little of this. A little of that. Here and there. Eventually everywhere. Until the sin stain of self is broken, and the Spirit has control. Until I finally yield.
I have often said, and bet you have too, “But how can I know the will of God?” How often do I complain that I don’t know His will? Here we are told – to know the will of God – what is good and pleasing to Him – what is perfect – we must do that which we are often so reticent to do:
- Sacrifice Self – it can no longer be about what “I” want.
- but Serve God alone – I must do what “HE” wants.
- Stop conforming to the world – saying I’m God’s, but acting like everyone else who isn’t just so I will be liked.
- Yield – allow the Spirit to transform my mind, what I think about – so that “HE” is pleased.
My Prayer:
Lord, I don’t know where to go with this exactly. So I YIELD to You again – now – I yield to the waiting. I give my fear to You. I sacrifice my self, and my interests – and simply ask for Your mercy – which is new every morning. Perhaps I’ve used up my mercies for the day already, but I ask for more. Surround me with Your hedge of protection. Yes – that pointy hedge that can hurt – but is meant for my good – for purposes I cannot always see. I present my sacrificed self, my body, my heart, my life, my desires, my family, my home, my work, my friends, my finances. They are all on the altar. I give You “tomorrow” and I will try with all that is within me to rest in You THIS day. Help me not to conform to the pattern of this world. Show me where I am doing so. Continue Your work in transforming my mind, so that I may always be in line with Your will and Your ways (even when they are not my ways). Amen.
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