TRANSFORMED TO SERVE-ROMANS 12:1-16

The exhortation of Romans 12:1 can be understood in the light of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Christians are called to sacrifice themselves, not animals. The call to present our bodies is contrary to any religious system that says that religion is purely a matter of the Spirit. In addition to our body being sacrificed, it must be holy- 1 Cor. 6:20, and it must e well pleasing to God. We know sometimes God rejected the sacrifices of people in the Old testament because they were not offered from the heart. God's people are constantly being pressured to give in to the priorities of this age and to conform to their pattern of behavior which is condoned by the ungodly.

By contrast, we are in the process of being transformed. This is sometimes called progressive sanctification. It takes place through the renewing of our minds. This gradual transformation takes place by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The contrast between being conformed to this age and being transformed by the Spirit of God can be illustrated using two animals. The chameleon takes on the color of its surrounding to protect itself from its enemies. The lowly caterpillar becomes a beauty butterfly. This change is called metamorphosis- Rom. 12:12.

The danger that always exist is that a Christian who has been noticeably blessed by God may develop an attitude of superiority over others. Such a person is exhorted not to think of himself as more highly than others. Christians sometimes have problems relating to each other as gifted members of the body of Christ. We are all important in God's body, hence God frowns at competing, comparing and categorizing. Everyone has a role to play which is also known as one's gift.

The gift of prophecy is a speaking forth of God's message to His people under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. It is usually in operation when there is a specific need among God's people. Its main purpose is foe edification, exhortation and comfort- 1 Cor. 4:3. While at times, there may be a predictive element in this gift to minister to God's people. The gift of ministry (service) seems to be very general in nature.

The gift of teaching involves the exposition of God's word to His people. This is one of the chief functions of a pastor- Eph. 4:11. There is also a gift of rebuking people and giving encouragement to God's people, helping them with an uplifting word.

All Christians are required to give of their substance to the Lord, and there is a gift that involves showing mercy to God's people which involves all Christians. Rather than retaliate when persecuted, Christians must bless their persecutors. Ultimately, God will vindicate the persecuted and bless the unrepentant persecutor. Members of God's body are further called upon to share in the joys and hurts of other members- 1 Cor. 12:26. The Christian life i a life of commitment. Our first responsibility is to Jesus Christ. We owe Him everything because of His sacrifice on the cross. We have an obligation both to the Church and to the world around us.