Romans 12:1-8

Romans 12:1-8 NIV
 ¹ 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. ² 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.

"Therefore".  Because we have studied the past 11 chapters we know what it's there for.  We know what God's mercy entails.  We have an understanding of why Paul is urging us.  We have a motivation, reason and an understanding of why we should offer our bodies as living sacrifices.  A sacrifice is dead, yet we are to be a living sacrifice.  In other words we sacrifice our will to do God's will.

The only way to transform and renew you mind is by the word of God.  Daily time in Scripture and in prayer is essential for us to know Him and it is only through our knowledge of him that we know of the power and promises available to us as Christians. (1 Peter 1:3-4)  If you say you do not have time I ask you to examine the amount of time you watch TV.  I did and it sickened me.  I rarely watch TV now.   Carve out a time in your day the belongs to God.  I adopted with limited success a "No Bible. No Breakfast." policy.  Try different times and don't let failure make you quit.

 ³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

In reading the last 11 chapters we learned how hopeless we are without God grace that was lavished upon us through Christ.  Without Him we are lost.  That should really sober us up.

 ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 

My hands cannot see and my ears cannot help me walk.  Each part has it's duty in moving this body out and about.  It is the same with the body of Christ.  Each of us is given a gift.  Find out what yours is, develop it and get to using it in the church God calls you to serve.

God Bless