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 act of worship. 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. (Romans 12:1–2, NIV 1984).
My Musings – We give our lives once to God, when we accept Christ as our Savior. We are saved. Our hearts are renewed. We are justified.
In view of this mercy, we show our gratitude by again and again offering “[our] bodies as living sacrifices.” This is not only a “ spiritual act of worship,” but a gradual transformation into the likeness of Christ as our minds are also renewed. A sanctification. “What we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2, NIV 1984).
Our transformation is preparing us for that day of glorification. Until that day we ask, “create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV 1984). That’s a prayer He will surely answer.
My Advice – How can we renew our minds? “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard…put it into practice.” (Philippians 4:8–9, NIV 1984).
We learn, receive and hear, through the word, prayer and the fellowship with fellow believers. We think on such things and then we put them into practice. A cycle worth repeating.
The Brew Is A Musing 