February 2026 (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)

Bible Passage: Romans 12:1-2, NIV

"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. Do not conform 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."

Based on everything Paul has explained about God's incredible mercy and grace in the first 11 chapters of Romans; he now tells us how we should respond.

1.      "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice": In the Old Testament, people worshiped God by sacrificing dead animals on an altar. Paul says our worship is different. Instead of bringing a dead animal, we are to offer our very own, living selves—our bodies, minds, time, and energy—to God. It’s a daily decision to let God use us for His purposes. This is what true worship looks like in everyday life.

2.      "Do not conform to the pattern of this world": The "world" here means the system of values, priorities, and behaviours that ignore God. It’s the pressure to fit in, to chase after the same things everyone else does (money, fame, pleasure, status). Paul says, "Don't let the world squeeze you into its mould." Don't just go with the flow of culture.

3.      "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind": Instead of being shaped from the outside by the world, we are to be changed from the inside out. This happens by filling our minds with God's truth—through reading the Bible, prayer, and the Holy Spirit's work. It’s a gradual process of changing how we think to align with how God thinks.

The Result: When we do this, we stop being confused about what God wants. We begin to understand, from experience, that His will is truly "good, pleasing, and perfect." We can recognize what is right and good because our minds have been retrained.

Reflection

These two verses are a pivotal moment in the book of Romans, shifting from deep theology to practical living. The Christian life is not just about believing the right things; it's about offering our entire being back to God in response to His mercy. The call to be a "living sacrifice" is challenging because a living sacrifice can crawl off the altar! It requires daily surrender.

The battle is primarily in our minds. Our culture constantly tells us that happiness is found in self-fulfilment, but God tells us that true life is found in surrender. Renewing our mind isn't a one-time event but a lifelong habit of replacing the world's lies with God's truth. The incredible promise is that this transformation leads to clarity. We are no longer left guessing about God's will; as we walk with Him in this surrendered way, we begin to see and love His good and perfect path for our lives.

Discussion

1.      What are some practical, everyday ways you can "offer your body as a living sacrifice" in your home, workplace, or community?

2.      "Conforming to the world" is often subtle. Where do you feel the most pressure to think or act in ways that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus? (Consider areas like success, relationships, money, or self-worth).

3.      What does the process of "renewing your mind" look like for you personally? What habits or practices help you fill your mind with God's truth, and what is one step you could take to engage in this renewal more consistently?

Concluding Prayer

Heavenly Father, We come before you in view of your immense mercy. Thank you for the grace you have poured out on us through Jesus Christ.

In response, we ask for the strength and courage to offer ourselves completely to you as a living sacrifice. Take our lives, our work, our relationships, and our dreams—let them be used for your purposes.

Help us to resist the constant pull of the world's values. Instead, transform us by the renewing of our minds through your Word and your Spirit. Give us a hunger for your truth and the discernment to recognize your good, pleasing, and perfect will in every situation.

We offer this prayer in Jesus' name,

Amen.