Romans 12:1 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.
This passage of scripture teaches us what is required of us, in lieu of the great sacrifice that was made for our redemption on Calvary. Our reasonable service therefore means that our bodies, which are the purchased possession of Christ should be daily rendered as a sacred sacrifice to God, so that the necessary transformation and renewal of our lives can take place without any interruption. The passage also includes the admonition against being conformed to this world, or being governed by the principles and standards that have become the norm in modern society. This counsel covers the entire spectrum of our daily experiences, from behaviors, to attitudes, from fashions to the music, videos, and entertainment and the many recreational activities we indulge in.
Christ The living Word, and the Bible which is the written word should at all times be synthesized in our daily experiences, as the ongoing efforts made by God to rescue us from the thralldom of sin continues. There is a superficial brand of Christianity which has gained popularity in recent years, which does not allow the principles and truths of God's word to enter into our closets and personal ambitions, and therefore the effects of the working of God's Holy Spirit are not being manifested as they once formerly were. There was a time when to be a Christian meant much, when the teachings and lifestyles of men like John the Baptist caused Herod to tremble in his boots. But now almost everyone names the name of Christ, and the truths of God's word have been so watered down by customs and cultures and false doctrines, that the line of demarcation between believers and non-believers is for all intents and purposes, almost non-existent.
This hands-off approach to Christianity does not constitute our "Reasonable" service, and therefore we are now called upon to return to the brand of Christianity that makes a big difference in the world we live in. Christians are set as light-bearers to the world, and as such, the unbelieving world has a right to expect a much higher standard, and much better principles of living, than that which now governs most of Christendom. Our words, our deportment, and our general behavior and attitudes should be of such as to draw people to Christ, not cause them to doubt the authenticity of the gospel.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that calls for a return to the good old days, when Christianity was a force for good to be reckoned with. Let's read:
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. ......
May the much needed reforms and changes begin with us today so that our reasonable service will translate into light-bearing influences on the pathway of others. God bless!