Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies (‘sóma’ – σῶμα) as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (‘nous’ – νοῦς), so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2, CSB
Paul urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices by presenting our bodies.
In Ancient Greek philosophy, Judaism, and many other ancient philosophies and theologies we see the concept of the body being an instrument for the soul/spirit. The body is the vehicle for the actions of the metaphysical soul/spirit in the physical/material world.
In other words, we are a soul/spirit with a physical body that enables us to interact with the physical world.
We see similar ideas in the writings of the Apostle Paul and the rest of the Bible as a whole, but with some necessary, additional considerations.
First of all, the body – as the instrument of the soul – is driven by the wants, needs and desires of the soul. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
Because we are all corrupt in nature, the body is prone to sin and depravity. Our first instincts are always to chase what is worldly and carnal.
Therefore we must be renewed on the inside – through the renewal of our hearts and minds we can discern what is the good pleasing, perfect will of God – and we can act accordingly, making better choices and overriding the natural instincts of the flesh.
When Paul is urging us to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, he is not merely referring to the flesh. The word he uses in Romans 12:1 for ‘bodies’ is ‘sóma’ (σῶμα) which refers to the body in its entirety, and not just as biological tissue. What Paul is saying is that we should present the whole of our person (‘sóma’) to the Lord – the flesh (‘sarx’ – σάρξ), the soul / mind (‘psuché’ – ψυχή and ‘nous’ – νοῦς) and the spirit (‘pnuema’ – πνεῦμα).
He is urging us to bring the entirety of our person to the altar as a living sacrifice.
Our flesh – (‘sarx’ – σάρξ) – which refers to our bodily condition, whatever condition that might be (fallen or born again).
Our souls – (‘psuché’ – ψυχή) – which refers to the seat of our emotions, desires, personality and general consciousness the heart or inner being of a person. This also includes our minds (‘nous’ – νοῦς) which is the highest faculty of the soul – the ability to reason, our capacity for spiritual perception and the seat of our intellect.
Our spirits – (‘pnuema’ – πνεῦμα) – this is the part of us, in so many ways intricately intertwined with the soul, that can connect with God – that little spark of eternity that God put in each of us. The spirit and soul are so intertwined that the Bible tends to use the word soul and spirit almost interchangeably. The spirit is the breath of God in us, that which gives the soul its eternal quality.
When Paul says we should present our bodies, he is talking about the offering up of the whole person – body, soul, mind and spirit – all of who we are. He urges us to leave everything on the Altar of His Love.
It is here that the renewal of our minds take place – and as long as we do not conform to the pressures of the present age and crawl off again, but rather stay on the altar, this renewal will lead to absolute transformation in our lives and the lives of those around us.
It is here on this altar that we go through the process of renewal and restoration. As long as we stay on the altar, dying to self, He will do a work in us, outside-in and inside-out. Through the renewal of our minds, we will be able to discern (perceive and understand) the good, pleasing and perfect will of God and live lives which are, in turn, holy and pleasing unto God.
By staying on the altar and allowing God to have His way in us, taking us through the process of sanctification, we will be enabled and empowered to live lives worthy of the life that Jesus gave for us – living sacrifices – living, breathing testimonies of His goodness and grace.
Before we can even think of truly living a life where worship is our lifestyle, we need to take this step first. We need to surrender ourselves to the process of sanctification, we need to submit to this process of renewing and transformation, this rewiring of our hearts and minds.
I urge you to take this step today, to take that first step and present your body – your ‘sóma’ – the whole of who you are as a person to God. Ask Him to give you the strength to go through this process of renewal and transformation, ask Him to guide you in the tangible steps you will need to take throughout the remainder of this course, and ask Him to help you push through and persevere when things get tough.
Our highest calling, the primary purpose of our lives, is to worship God. Not just on a Sunday… Not just when we feel like it – but everyday and in everything. Every step, every word, every thought, every breath – let it be an offering to God! Every step, every word, every thought, every breath – good, holy and pleasing to the Lord!