“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
“Brothers” is a term not exclusive to men; it includes all siblings. An affectionate greeting (used 10 times in Romans) showing Paul’s relationship with the believers – men and women – in Rome. As children of one Father, Christians are members of one family.
“In view of God’s mercy” is a key phrase to understanding the rest of Romans. God’s mercies have been fully expressed in Christ and powerfully articulated in the previous 11 chapters. The exhortations to follow are the proper response to those mercies; however, obedience does not earn or add to God’s favor.
“Living sacrifice … worship” … in the Old Testament involved putting animals to death as a sacrifice. Christ’s one sacrifice replaced the need for such animal sacrifices. We can dedicate our entire lives to God. The terms “worship” and “sacrifice” are related to all of one’s earthly life, not simply to time spent in church.
Based on God’s mercy, Paul entreats believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, meaning they should use their bodies to serve and obey God. Such giving of the body to God is more than a contrast with a dead animal sacrifice, it is “newness of life”. “Holy” means set apart for the Lord’s use; “acceptable” means pleasing to Him and indicates that such a gift is the only rational reaction to all the good gifts God has showered on us.
These verses are part of a section of the Bible that is a guide for Christian living. God has shown us His undeserved mercies in Christ, transformed our lives in Baptism, and continues to renew us daily by His Spirit.
God’s blessings on your day…