“1. 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. 2. 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.”

Romans 12:1-2

A Christian must learn how to live as a Christian.     

Paul encouraged people who had given their hearts and lives to Jesus, Christians, to understand the importance of living a life in a pleasing manner. “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” (Romans 12:1). What does this mean? A living sacrifice means “the physical life and existence, as opposed to death or nonexistence, always with some duration as a living and constant sacrifice.” God expects His people to live a life, always, as if they belong to Him – acceptable to Him. That is the very least we can do (“reasonable service”). See what we should remember: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Whatever Christians do, we should remember that we have been bought with a price (Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin). Just as Jesus willingly died for each person who would believe (Christians), each Christian is then to present their life to Jesus as a “living sacrifice.” Understanding this should help us choose to do what God wants over what we want to do. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6).

Moreover, Paul went on to remind us that because we are now Christians, we are not to be conformed to this world. “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” (Romans 12:2). See the following definitions of some of the words in this verse, and thoughts about them, to help in the understanding: 

• Not conformed means “to be fashioned alike; one is not to be molded by the external and fleeting manners or ways of this period of time, but to undergo a deep inner transformation that can only be brought by the Holy Spirit.” Instead of being conformed (changed to be like the world by outside influences), we are being transformed. 
• Transformed means “that invisible process that begins to take place in a Christian during his/her life here on earth.” To be changed from the inside out. How are we to be transformed? By renewing one’s mind. 
• Renewing means “a renovation which makes a person different than in the past.” A Christian is not to think as they always have thought, according to the world’s system.
• Prove means “to put to the proof or examine; the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not.” Once Christians know how to live, they are to implement those things into their life.

A Christian is not to live a life like the rest of the world, but different from the lost world (those who do not know Jesus). Christians are to always remember that our life is not our own, for we have been bought with a price! Remember: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). You belong to God.

Do you live a life different from the lost world?