This will be our final discussion on the importance and process of repentance when dealing with immoral behavior. We will continue to unpack Romans 12:1-2. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.2 Do not conform any longer 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.”
Last week we discussed the need to sacrifice our sin on the altar of God’s grace. This requires us to dig deep to understand just what the root of the sin is and to allow God to take that from us. I have found a great resource for this process in a book by Dr. Gary Smalley entitled, “The DNA Of Relationships”. It provides some practical exercises for getting beyond the sin and looking at those places Satan may have gotten a foothold in your life that are causing wrong choices.
Just a couple more points on the Romans passage and we will move on. The necessity of offering ourselves as living sacrifices is not a one-time command. The word “offer” has a continual tense that calls us to regular evaluation to find those feelings or actions in our lives that may lead to problems. A daily check in with God on this is vital. A simple prayer and taking time to listen will be important. “Father, please reveal to me those areas of my life, thoughts, actions, emotions, etc., that I have not fully submitted to you.” God will be faithful in answering this prayer.
The other truth of this passage that can’t be avoided in the process of repentance is the understanding of what it means to be a “living sacrifice”. When an Old Testament Priest sacrificed an animal, it never got off the altar. It was consumed completely. In a sense, this is what happens when I entrust my life to the altar of God’s grace. My sin and those areas that give Satan a foothold are consumed completely by God’s mercy and total forgiveness. However, he then allows us to rise from that altar (living) to continue our spiritual journey without the baggage that He has removed. This freedom lets us be more effective in our service to Christ and stronger in our commitment.
This is so important because of a nasty tactic of Satan. He will try to convince you that your sin has disqualified you from receiving God’s love in full. Or that you could never be useful to the Kingdom because of your past. These are lies! This is where the renewing of your mind becomes critical. Scripture is full of people who have failed God yet have been restored through repentance to love and serve him effectively. This is a gift of God’s grace and mercy. It is a promise that overcomes the lies of Satan.