July 8

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. — Rom 12:1 BSB

Doctrines are like roots, and duties grow from them.

After eleven chapters of deep theology, we now get five chapters of practical teaching. Just like beautiful plants need roots, duties need doctrines to support them. Moral actions without doctrines behind them are like rootless plants.

Two key phrases, “a living sacrifice” and “be transformed,” sum up the lessons in this chapter. We are to offer ourselves to Christ as a living sacrifice, and be transformed in character to reflect His divine beauty.

When we become Christians, we join the body of Christ. This means that the life of Christ is in us, and because His life is in us, we must reflect His character.

We can only achieve this transformation by fully surrendering ourselves to Christ. Then, we will truly be transformed into His likeness.