Youth: Our reasonable service
Listen to audio
Romans 12:1–2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Have you ever noticed how quickly things can change? Think back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, hand sanitizer and toilet paper became as valuable as gold. People lined up outside stores, panicked about running out of everyday stuff they’d never worried about before. Crazy, right? It makes you think: What do we really value, and does it even matter in the long run?
In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul talks about something even more important—how we should live for God in a world that’s always changing. He challenges us to build our lives on things that last, instead of getting caught up in what’s temporary and fleeting. Let’s dive into this powerful message and see how it applies to your life today.
In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul talks about something even more important—how we should live for God in a world that’s always changing. He challenges us to build our lives on things that last, instead of getting caught up in what’s temporary and fleeting. Let’s dive into this powerful message and see how it applies to your life today.
The Mercies of God: Why Should We Live for Him?
In Romans 12, Paul shifts gears. Instead of talking about deep theology, he gives us practical advice. He starts by saying, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy…” (Romans 12:1). Paul isn’t demanding or bossy; he’s reminding us of all the amazing things God has done for us. Think about it: God saved us when we didn’t deserve it, forgave us, and made us His family. Because of that, living for Him isn’t just a duty—it’s a way to show our love and gratitude.
What Is a Living Sacrifice?
Paul calls us to be “living sacrifices.” In the Old Testament, people would bring animals to sacrifice to God as a way to say sorry for their sins. But now, Jesus has already paid for our sins, so we don’t need to do that anymore. Instead, we get to be living sacrifices, meaning we live for God every single day.
This isn’t just a one-time thing. It’s a daily choice to say, “God, I’m all in.” Maybe that means choosing to be kind even when others are rude, using your talents to serve God, or saying no to things you know aren’t right. It’s about letting your whole life show you belong to Jesus.
In Romans 12, Paul shifts gears. Instead of talking about deep theology, he gives us practical advice. He starts by saying, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy…” (Romans 12:1). Paul isn’t demanding or bossy; he’s reminding us of all the amazing things God has done for us. Think about it: God saved us when we didn’t deserve it, forgave us, and made us His family. Because of that, living for Him isn’t just a duty—it’s a way to show our love and gratitude.
What Is a Living Sacrifice?
Paul calls us to be “living sacrifices.” In the Old Testament, people would bring animals to sacrifice to God as a way to say sorry for their sins. But now, Jesus has already paid for our sins, so we don’t need to do that anymore. Instead, we get to be living sacrifices, meaning we live for God every single day.
This isn’t just a one-time thing. It’s a daily choice to say, “God, I’m all in.” Maybe that means choosing to be kind even when others are rude, using your talents to serve God, or saying no to things you know aren’t right. It’s about letting your whole life show you belong to Jesus.
Be Transformed, Not Conformed
In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Basically, he’s saying: Don’t just blend in with everyone else. The world has its own way of doing things, and it doesn’t always match up with God’s way. Think about it: our culture often celebrates things God says are harmful, like selfishness, gossip, or disrespect. If we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that stuff is okay.
So, what does it look like to not be conformed? It means not giving in to peer pressure just because “everyone else is doing it.” It means sticking to what’s right, even if it’s unpopular. Yeah, it can be tough, but God’s got your back.
A Mind Makeover
Paul says to be transformed by “renewing your mind.” Think of it like giving your mind a spiritual makeover. When you read the Bible, pray, or even just spend time thinking about God, you start to see things differently. Your mind gets reset, and you begin to understand what’s important and what’s not.
Here’s a cool way to think about it: Imagine a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. That’s what happens when God renews our minds—we become something entirely new. We’re no longer stuck crawling in the dirt but soaring with a new perspective.
Building a Solid Life: What’s Your Foundation?
Paul uses a construction metaphor in 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 to make his point. He says that our lives are like buildings, and we have to be careful about what we build them with. Jesus is the foundation, but we can choose what kind of “materials” to use. He mentions gold, silver, and precious stones—things that are strong and valuable. He also mentions wood, hay, and straw—stuff that won’t last when tested by fire.
So, what are you building your life on? Are you investing in things that matter, like your relationship with God and loving others? Or are you spending all your energy on things that won’t last, like popularity or material stuff?
How do we build wisely? It’s about making choices that honor God, even when it’s hard. Maybe it means using your free time to serve others or stand up for someone who’s being mistreated. Those are the things that will last.
Trials Show What You’re Made Of
Life isn’t always easy. There will be moments when your faith is tested—maybe through tough decisions, peer pressure, or even your own doubts. These are like “fiery trials” that reveal what you’re really made of. If you’ve been building your life on the right things, you’ll come out stronger. But if your life is all about the temporary stuff, you’ll realize how empty that is.
Knowing God’s Will: Good, Acceptable, and Perfect
Paul says God’s will is “good, acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:2). That means it’s the best plan you could ever imagine. God’s will isn’t about making your life boring or full of rules; it’s about helping you become the person He created you to be. His plan is always for your good, even if it doesn’t make sense right away.
Discovering God’s will isn’t a one-time thing. It’s about making daily decisions to listen to Him and follow His lead. When you spend time with God, He renews your mind and shows you what’s best.
What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind? It means your thoughts start to line up with God’s thoughts. You begin to care about the things He cares about, and your actions start to reflect that.
Living for Something Bigger
Doing God’s will means living for something way bigger than yourself. It’s about realizing that every decision you make matters. When you choose to live for God, your life becomes a light that shines in a dark world. People notice when someone is living differently, and it makes them curious about what you have.
Imagine if every choice you made was rooted in the desire to make God proud. How would that change the way you treat your friends, your family, or even the way you see yourself?
The Ultimate Test: Will Your Life Stand Strong?
Paul’s metaphor about building your life hits home. Think about it: if everything you built your life on was tested, would it survive? During a huge earthquake in Turkey and Syria in 2023, even some buildings that were supposed to be “earthquake-proof” collapsed. Why? Because their foundations and materials were weak.
Our lives are the same way. You can look like you have it all together on the outside, but what’s underneath matters most. When life gets tough—and it will—your foundation will be tested. If you’re built on Jesus and living for Him, you’ll stand strong.
In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Basically, he’s saying: Don’t just blend in with everyone else. The world has its own way of doing things, and it doesn’t always match up with God’s way. Think about it: our culture often celebrates things God says are harmful, like selfishness, gossip, or disrespect. If we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that stuff is okay.
So, what does it look like to not be conformed? It means not giving in to peer pressure just because “everyone else is doing it.” It means sticking to what’s right, even if it’s unpopular. Yeah, it can be tough, but God’s got your back.
A Mind Makeover
Paul says to be transformed by “renewing your mind.” Think of it like giving your mind a spiritual makeover. When you read the Bible, pray, or even just spend time thinking about God, you start to see things differently. Your mind gets reset, and you begin to understand what’s important and what’s not.
Here’s a cool way to think about it: Imagine a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. That’s what happens when God renews our minds—we become something entirely new. We’re no longer stuck crawling in the dirt but soaring with a new perspective.
Building a Solid Life: What’s Your Foundation?
Paul uses a construction metaphor in 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 to make his point. He says that our lives are like buildings, and we have to be careful about what we build them with. Jesus is the foundation, but we can choose what kind of “materials” to use. He mentions gold, silver, and precious stones—things that are strong and valuable. He also mentions wood, hay, and straw—stuff that won’t last when tested by fire.
So, what are you building your life on? Are you investing in things that matter, like your relationship with God and loving others? Or are you spending all your energy on things that won’t last, like popularity or material stuff?
How do we build wisely? It’s about making choices that honor God, even when it’s hard. Maybe it means using your free time to serve others or stand up for someone who’s being mistreated. Those are the things that will last.
Trials Show What You’re Made Of
Life isn’t always easy. There will be moments when your faith is tested—maybe through tough decisions, peer pressure, or even your own doubts. These are like “fiery trials” that reveal what you’re really made of. If you’ve been building your life on the right things, you’ll come out stronger. But if your life is all about the temporary stuff, you’ll realize how empty that is.
Knowing God’s Will: Good, Acceptable, and Perfect
Paul says God’s will is “good, acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:2). That means it’s the best plan you could ever imagine. God’s will isn’t about making your life boring or full of rules; it’s about helping you become the person He created you to be. His plan is always for your good, even if it doesn’t make sense right away.
Discovering God’s will isn’t a one-time thing. It’s about making daily decisions to listen to Him and follow His lead. When you spend time with God, He renews your mind and shows you what’s best.
What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind? It means your thoughts start to line up with God’s thoughts. You begin to care about the things He cares about, and your actions start to reflect that.
Living for Something Bigger
Doing God’s will means living for something way bigger than yourself. It’s about realizing that every decision you make matters. When you choose to live for God, your life becomes a light that shines in a dark world. People notice when someone is living differently, and it makes them curious about what you have.
Imagine if every choice you made was rooted in the desire to make God proud. How would that change the way you treat your friends, your family, or even the way you see yourself?
The Ultimate Test: Will Your Life Stand Strong?
Paul’s metaphor about building your life hits home. Think about it: if everything you built your life on was tested, would it survive? During a huge earthquake in Turkey and Syria in 2023, even some buildings that were supposed to be “earthquake-proof” collapsed. Why? Because their foundations and materials were weak.
Our lives are the same way. You can look like you have it all together on the outside, but what’s underneath matters most. When life gets tough—and it will—your foundation will be tested. If you’re built on Jesus and living for Him, you’ll stand strong.
How to Apply This in Real Life
- Give God Your Best: Every day, tell God you’re all in. Maybe it’s before you go to school or when you’re getting ready for bed. Offer Him your day, your plans, and even your worries.
- Fill Your Mind with Good Things: Take a few minutes to read a Bible verse or listen to worship music. Let God’s truth sink in and change how you think. It’s like putting on spiritual armor before you face the day.
- Set Your Priorities: What matters most to you? If you’re spending all your time on social media or worrying about what others think, it might be time for a change. Make a list of things you want to focus on, like growing your faith or helping someone in need.
- Think Long-Term: Remember that your choices today affect your future. Live for what will last. Invest in friendships that encourage your faith, and don’t be afraid to talk about Jesus, even if it’s a little awkward.
- Find Accountability: Talk to someone you trust about your spiritual goals. Maybe it’s a youth leader, a parent, or a close friend. Having someone to check in with makes a big difference.