"A New Way Of Thinking!"
I would like to read to you a scripture which I feel is always misinterpreted then I will comment on it. In Romans 12:1 it reads:
Ro 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
After reading this scripture how do you feel? Do you feel like you have some heavy work to do? Of course you do! That's what most Pastors etc. would teach. 1st you have to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy unto the Lord. (That's a major job already but you better do it!!!) Be not conformed to this world, don't do the things the world does, be ye separate!! You've heard it all before. Renew your mind don't think like the World. And when you renew your mind and you don't act or think like the world then you will know what God's will is.
This is exactly the opposite of the truth if you take this scripture in context, which is how all scripture should be taken.
I would like to explain it the way that God intended it to be. It's only by God's mercy that we are what we are and that we can breath our next breath and that we can live this Christian life. "Faithful is he that calls you and also will do it."
By his Grace we are what we are and we do what we do. Paul said he labored more than the other apostles but it wasn't him but the grace of God in him!!
1 Thes 5:24
Paul said: ....and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who ALSO WILL DO IT! Who will do it? Not me! God will do it! Praise God!
Now lets look at the main scripture text the way God meant it to be.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice...
Another words therefore by the mercy of God you CAN present your body a living sacrifice. Only by his mercy is this done.
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service...
And by God's mercy you realize that you are Holy because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, not because you kept some stringent laws or rules, you are acceptable by his mercy and this is your reasonable service. It's reasonable, it's not nothing out of reason, it's reasonable.
And be not conformed to this world
Be not conformed to this world. Don't' think like the world. In the world you have to do things to receive things. You get rewarded for your doing. In the Spiritual World it's different. Christ has done it all and there is nothing for you to do. He has made you righteous, you no longer have to follow the law for righteousness sake. He has nailed all ordinances that were against us to the cross. Now we no longer try to please God by following commandments. But through Love we fulfill the law. By walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh (after the law). So the worlds way of thinking is do and you receive. God's way of thinking is I have done it all for you. Trust in me.(Jesus) It's only by his mercy that he enables us to live this Christian life. So we are not to try to do things to be right in God's sight. By the flesh no man shall please God. We are not to clean the outside of the cup but the inside. Then the outside takes care of it self.
So be not conformed to this world, don't think like they think. Don't think you receive from God because you were a good boy or girl today. Don't' think like this. I am not saying don't worry about doing bad. I'm just saying don't think because your struggling to try and please God that it makes him happy. He wants to do the cleaning up. He causes the increase as we stay connected to the vine. Stay connected to the HEAD! (Christ)
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind
Renewing of your mind. Start thinking this way and realize it's only by the grace of God we are what we are. Think on these things. Think this way. Don't think like the world. By thinking God's way you will slowly be transformed by this new way of thinking. Think on things above and the peace of God shall rule your heart!
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When you start thinking in this manner and realize it's 100 percent of God and 0 percent you and you continue to think this way you will be renewing your mind and thinking on these things and you will know what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. You will just know because you are living in the Spirit. And you are living by the power of God.
So let me read it the way it is suppose to be.
By the mercy of God you are holy and acceptable and because of him you can present your body now to him a living sacrifice which is your reasonable service it's not beyond reason. It's the normal thing to do. And don't think like the world thinks but think this new way that it's only by his mercy that we can do anything and by his grace we are what we are. And by thinking like this you will know what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God.
If we read the next scripture verse 3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to everyman that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; ......
Another words realize it's God and it's his grace and it's not you so don't think who you are because you can present your body to God. It's only by his mercy and not because we have kept ourselves HOLY. So don't think of your self more than you ought.
Even if you read the scripture before Rom 12:1 which is 11:36
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen
Another words it's totally JESUS who gets all the Glory.
Praise God by his Grace and Mercy I can present my body to him and it's Holy because of him not because of anything I have done! But because what he has done!!
May God give you the eyes to see!
IHS
Tony Ciaramello