Romans 12:1 (KJV)

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.

This verse marks the beginning of a new section in Romans. The Apostle has taken two thirds of the letter to clearly teach the doctrines of grace and now he comes tot he section where he lays out how a person is to live in light of the grace he has received from God.

1. Your worship of God, not your walk with God, is the theme of this verse.
   Most people read this verse and think, "This is how God wants me to live!" Then they proceed to check their list to see if their walk with God can be described as: (a) sacrificial, (b) holy, and (c) acceptable to God who has given His Son for them. "Salvation is God's gift to me, but my life is my gift to God" is their sincere belief. It is easy to understand why people come to this conclusion -- we are programmed to perform to the best of our ability. But we forget that God accepts perfection only. The word "service" (KJV) comes from a word that means "worship" (RSV).
2. There is only one reasonable and logical way for you to worship God.
   I want you to think carefully about the teaching of this verse. Every time you draw near to God in worship, prayer, or meditation you are to accept that you are accepted. It is important to Paul that his hearers understand because he "beseeches" them.
   1. Therefore . . . is a connecting word that connects all that Paul has said in the first twelve chapters. Paul has described the numerous "mercies of God."
   2. Brethren . . . Paul is assuming that his hearers have tassted of these mercies.
   3. Present yourselves . . . to God . . . as owned by Him (His sacrifice), but also as
      1. "A living sacrifice" -- you are spiritually alive by God's mercy.
      2. "A holy sacrifice" -- you are perfect because of Christ's righteousness.
      3. "An acceptable sacrifice" -- you are completely acceptable to God.
         God has made you thus, you do not become so by your efforts.
         This is the only logical, reasonable way that you can worship God.
3. When you worship God this way there comes to you an unbelievable freedom.
   Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Obviously, the truth is both the Person of Jesus Christ and all the mercies of God our Father.
   1. No longer do you have to pretend to be somebody you are not.
      You are free to be genuine and real before people because you are accepted.
   2. No longer do you have to stay away from worship when you feel miserable.
      Your standing before God is not based upon your feelings, but His mercy.
   3. No longer do you have to wonder what God thinks or feels about you.
      Enter into your prayer closet and worship time with confidence in His mercy.
      

      "Our salvation is so well contrived, so well concerted, that God may
      have mercy upon poor sinners and be at peace with them, without any
      wrong to his truth and righteousness -- Matthew Henry.