In the first 11 Chapters of Romans, Paul presents the reader with a historical and theological account of God's dealings with humanity. He explains why salvation is necessary, why it must be through grace, and how God is dealing with his chosen people of Israel now that the gospel of Jesus Christ has appeared. Beginning in Chapter 12, Paul changes tracks and gives practical, pastoral advice on why and how Christians are to live holy lives, and what it means to live a life of virtue and goodness. Chapter 12 begins with one of the most well known passages of scripture. Paul states that in light of the gospel of grace and all the kindness and mercy of God, we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices before God that are holy and pleasing to Him. Wesley notes that Paul says that it is because of God's mercy that we should offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is the converse of Romans 1: 8 where Paul says God is revealing his wrath against all forms of ungodliness. Calvin states that when Paul writes that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, this refers to the whole person including the soul and spirit. Offering ourselves as a living sacrifice is the reasonable act of service that we are to present before God, says Calvin, and is a summary statement of how the Christian is supposed to live his or her life.
In addition to offering ourselves as living sacrifices, Paul tells us in v. 2 to not conform to the patterns of this world, but instead renew our minds in order that we may be able to discern that which is good, namely the will of God. As Calvin put it, our minds need to be renovated. Wesley adds that the good Paul is referring to that is the will of God are precepts of Christianity, or the rules for day to day living. God sets out before his people His will for how they are to live their lives, and the application of the rules in various contexts is a large part of what true wisdom entails.
--What type of living sacrifice does God find acceptable? What needs to be the condition of the sacrifice? What does it mean to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice? What aspects of the Christian's life should be offered?
--What are some of the patterns of this world that Paul refers to in v. 2? How is it that we are to renew our minds? What will this entail? What types of knowledge are we free to pursue under Christianity?
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