"Consecration isn't our giving anything to God. It is our taking our hands off what already belongs to God." - Walter B. Knight
 
"O Lord, make me an extra-ordinary Christian." - George Whitfield

The Apostle Paul, who lived one of the most devoted, zealous, and fulfilled lives as a Christian, emphatically calls all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to an unreserved dedication in Romans 12:1-2 -
 
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
     
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God" - The reason why we should dedicate all that we are, have, and can do to God is because of His Great Mercies that He extended our way. He showed His favor to us as undeserving sinners. His compassion and tender mercies, in turn, should melt us into compliance whereby we fully present our bodies to Him.
 
"That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice" - The metaphor is drawn here from the animal sacrifices that were brought to the altar of God. The choicest of the flock was selected and then brought to the altar. He who offered the sacrifice released all claims to it and devoted it to God to be disposed of at His will.
 
Using the same analogy, the Apostle Paul exhorts all believers to offer themselves to God in the spirit of sacrifice. They are to offer themselves as a free and voluntary offering. They are to be wholly His property just as the burnt offering was completely His. No part is to be used for any other purpose. Their entire person is to be presented to His service. They are to devote their bodies - their whole selves - living, vital energies - to Him, releasing all claims.
 
"Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" - The sacrifice of ourselves unto God must be "holy." In other words, it must be without spot, blemish, or defect. When bringing a sacrifice before Him, the Jews were forbidden to offer that which was lame, blind, or deformed. That which was without defect was considered as "holy," set apart, or consecrated for Him. The sacrifice of ourselves must be free from Sin. It must not be done with a divided heart or a polluted service. It must be offered with the Best affections and the Best faculties of our hearts and lives.
 
What makes the sacrifice "acceptable unto God" is when our highest aim is to please Him and to do all things according to the written Word.
 
Our "service" is our worship or homage rendered to Him.
It becomes "reasonable" when it is offered according to the true intent and meaning of the law.
It is "reasonable" when our heart and soul are fully engaged in the service.
It is only "reasonable" for us as His property - by right of creation and redemption - to live for His glory in strict obedience to His Will.
 
"And be not conformed to this world" - Do not put on the form, fashion, or appearance of this world, age, or generation. Do not be conformed to the habits, style, and manners of this wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age. Do not take on the pride, vanity, extravagance, and riotous living of this particular generation.
 
"But be ye transformed" - Be transfigured. Change the form of this world for Christianity. Appear as a new person with new habits. Undergo a radical, thorough, and universal change - noticeable by all.

"By the renewing of your mind"  - This involves making the spirit, temper, and disposition of the mind new...a complete change for the better...changing the mind to have new views and feelings.
 
"That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" - The word "prove" here refers to the operation of testing or trying metals by fire. Hence, it means to examine,  scrutinize, and test what God purposes to do with our lives. Through a renewed mind, we are able to determine His inclination, desire, purpose, or choice.
 
The "will of God" pertains to His commands and demands in regard to our conduct.
It is "good" because it promotes His honor and deals with the interests of His creation.
It is "acceptable" because it calls us to do that which pleases Him. Nothing pleases Him more than to have us live separated from the vices, follies, amusements, and gaieties of this fallen world.
It is "perfect" because it is finished and complete - lacking no parts.
It is also "perfect" because it is free from defect, stain, or injury and consistent, carried out, and evinced in all of our circumstances and relations of life.
 
In order to be an Extra-Ordinary Christian, we must make Romans 12:1-2 a reality in our lives.
 
We must offer ourselves unreservedly to God in a spirit of sacrifice. That means that every part of our being is to be presented to Him for His service - releasing all claims on our lives.
We cannot offer Him a portion of us or a life that is riddled with Sin.
We must not offer Him a divided heart.
We must give Him our very Best - our Best affections and faculties.
We must make it our highest aim to please Him in all things and to live for His Glory.

We must make a break with this world and its habits, forms, fashions, and manner of living.
We must undergo a radical change for the better. This involves changing our minds to have new views and feelings unlike the world's.
 
Then we will be able to discern God's general inclination, desires, purposes, and choices for our lives.
We will be able to please Him by living separately from the world and by consistently carrying out His Will.

Then don't hesitate to obey His Word today.
Surrender all to Him without reservation.
Consecrate yourself afresh to Him.
Take your hands off what already belongs to Him.
Then watch and see how He will use your life for His Glory, Honor, and Praise.
 
May God Bless His Word.
Connie