Overview of Romans 12: Being a Spiritual Worshiper

In short, Romans 12 is all about spiritual worship. Though many regard that worship is simply singing praises to God, the Bible says otherwise. As Paul notes here, true spiritual worship can be described as any action of a Christian that, by the mercies of God, presents his body as an acceptable, living sacrifice. After defining spiritual worship, Paul gives us four practical ways in which we can be spiritual worshipers, that is, how we can present our bodies as acceptable, living sacrifices unto our Lord:

1. By our transformation (Romans 12:2)

2. By our use of our spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8)

3. By our spiritual integrity in relation to ourselves (Romans 12:9-12)

4. By our spiritual integrity in relation to others (Romans 12:13-21)

Firstly, Paul encourages us to worship by being "transformed by the renewal of our mind." Rather than being taken captive by the ways of this world, we ought to be renewed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are in this world, but we are not of this world. Therefore, we ought to seek to be daily transfromed to be more like Christ and less like the world, that we may be spiritual worshipers.

Secondly, Paul exhorts us to humbly use our spiritual gifts. We ought not to use them haughtily, as if they were of our own efforts, but rather give praise to God by doing them. The Lord has been kind to us and has given us great gifts--we ought to worship him by using them in accordance to what they are. If we are teachers, let us teach. If we are helpers, let us help. If we are encouragers, let us encourage, and amidst it all strive with perseverance to be good spiritual worshipers.

Thirdly, Paul says that we ought to have good spiritual integrity and perseverance in relation to our own spiritual walk. He lists many practical commands such as "let love be genuine," "abhor what is evil," and "hold fast to what is good." In our own personal spiritual walk, we obey Paul's practical commands here. If we don't, we will fail to be good spiritual worhsipers.

Fourthly, Paul asks of us to stay in good spiritual integrity in regard to others. Although remaining pure in our own personal spiritual walk is important, we must not stop there; we must go out and interact with others in spiritual integrity as well. We must bless our persecutors, love our enemies, and live at peace with all as far as it depends on us. If we don't love others well and treat them with good spiritual integrity, we will fail to be good spiritual worshipers.

In short, we can say that WORSHIP = SACRIFICE. We sacrifice our bodies, our desires, our efforts, and our relationships with others, all for the purpose of honoring Christ. If we don't sacrifice, we don't worship. This is key. How do you live out the Christian life? You worship. And how do you worship? You sacrifice. Amen.

So, how are you doing at being a spiritual worshiper? Are you sacrificing your body, your desires, your time, your affections, and everything else you have for the glory of the one who saved you? How can you better worship the Lord today? Or, in other words, what more could you sacrifice to the Lord today? Amen.