Romans 12: 1-2, Live to Worship God

Worship is our response to the reality of God in every aspect in every circumstance of daily living. Worship is giving all of myself and everything I am and have to God. Worship is more than what we do, it’s who we are.

Augustine wrote: a Christian should be an alleluia from head to toe. I think he’s right. We know God sees us. He knows the state of our hearts and how genuine we are, or not.

Romans 12:1-2 show us that we are and will always be students of worship, learning and growing in worship all the time, whatever point we are at. But in the end he wants all of us; every aspect of our lives is a measure of our worship.

Romans 12:1-2 introduce us to the attitudes and actions which should set Christians apart from the world in which we live. Jesus is the one we follow and worship over the ways and things of the world. Here, Paul reminds us nothing should have greater love or affection than Jesus. Our reason to worship and serve God is simply in response to God’s mercy to us in the person of Jesus. We need no other reason!

Remember we are not accepted as God’s people because we are good people. We are accepted because of God’s mercy (see Romans 9:15-16). God’s mercy then is both the source and reason for our worship, and our worship of God – as living sacrifices – is the reason for our mercy and grace toward others.

Worship that pleases God is voluntary. It is intelligent and rational, “heart, soul, mind and strength”…In other words, Christian worship is based on understanding who God is, what he has given us in the gospel, and what his expectations are of us.

Renewing our minds is an adjustment of our moral, ethical and spiritual compass toward Jesus, away from self and worldliness. Therefore what are we filling our minds with? God and his truths…or something else?

Perhaps we need to stop and think about what we’re thinking about. Write a list of all the things you do that “feed your mind” – see how that sits alongside time in prayer, God’s Word and Christian fellowship. Think about the things that are negatively consuming our minds. Identify them, name them and set about dealing with them. How? By filling our minds with God’s Word. Feed our minds on him and his values.

Take Aways
Worship him because of his mercy and grace
Think about what you’re thinking about
Feed our minds on God – prayer
Feed our minds on His Word