A Broke Evangelist

December 6, 2024

Romans 12:1-2

Sacrifice and Transformation

“1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Anglican clergyman JB Phillips once paraphrased this: “With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and acceptable by Him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the Plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”

After covering four of one hundred chapters, this is the last one for Romans—but what a way to finish! The first two verses (especially verse 2) are some of the most foundational instructions for living the Christian life. Many years ago, I had a business mentor who told me that the two most important things we could do on this earth were to (1) worship God and (2) control the thoughts in our minds. I’ve done pretty well with the first one, but the second? Well, let’s just say I’m still a work in progress.

And that’s okay. This is an area that requires constant attention. Controlling our thoughts is hard, especially with all the noise and distractions in the world. Sometimes I feel like my dog, Buster. He’ll sit and stare at me with unwavering focus, waiting for me to drop something—anything—he can snatch up. He’ll stay there for hours until—SQUIRREL! Or any other movement grabs his attention. The only difference? My attention span is much shorter. While Buster can lock onto a crumb on my beard for what feels like forever, I can lose my focus in a matter of minutes. I’ve always been amazed by people who are so disciplined in controlling their thoughts. You can practically feel the power of the Spirit working in them because they’ve made it a habit to let God guide their thinking. On the flip side, I’m equally amazed by how many people don’t allow God to change their way of thinking.

Years ago, I met a coworker at a new job, a nice woman about my age, who often spent time on the lunchroom phone. One day, I overheard her saying things like, “Stop thinking that!” and “You’re not going to die.” It was obvious she was trying to help someone stuck in a negative spiral. Later, when it was just the two of us, I asked if everything was okay. She explained that her friend, a lifelong hypochondriac, was trapped in constant fear of death. This friend had no history of medical problems and was perfectly healthy, but her mind convinced her otherwise. A couple of years later, her friend passed away—far too young. The cause was organ failure, but the reason was unknown. I can’t help but think that her constant mental state of fear and negativity eventually took a toll on her body. It’s tragic, but it happens.

Now compare that to a mind connected to God—a mind renewed and plugged into His wisdom and peace. That’s a power greater than any mind-meld Spock could dream of! Studying this chapter of Romans might just help clear the road for us to better grasp what God is saying. The truth is, renewing our minds is a daily process. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. And when we let God take control of our thoughts, the transformation is undeniable. So let’s keep working on it, even if we’re still a little “squirrel-brained.” After all, God’s got patience, and He’s ready to help us refocus, one thought at a time.

Let’s see what Paul says about Romans 12:1-2…

Romans 12;1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

So, what does God mean by sacrifice? Well, He doesn’t want us bringing some lame, leftover offering, like that questionable casserole nobody ate at the church potluck. He’s like, “I want you to bring the A-game, full-on, body-and-soul dedication!” Think of it as saying, “Here I am, God, fresh out of the shower, spiritually deodorized, and ready to go!”  But as a “living sacrifice?” What does being a “living sacrifice” mean? Good news is that it’s not as scary as it sounds—you don’t have to climb up on an altar and go, “Alright, here I am, BBQ me.” No, this is about using everything you’ve got—your talents, your quirks, your laugh-until-you-snort kind of joy—to live for Him.

Sometimes, life isn’t about being the best; it’s about showing up, doing your thing, and letting the chips fall where they may. And if you’ve ever been a fan of American Idol, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Sure, you remember some of the winners—Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood—but let’s be real. When it comes to unforgettable contestants, one name stands out like a glittery karaoke star in a sea of divas: William Hung. So, on this one episode, William Hung walks into his audition, armed with unshakable confidence, a sweet smile, and a killer rendition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs.” By “killer,” I mean...he massacred it! . The judges? Shocked. Simon Cowell? Speechless (a rarity). And yet, William didn’t come off as a joke—he came off as real. No diva tantrums, no delusions of grandeur—just pure, lovable sincerity.

What’s funny is that William was so bad, he became good. He didn’t make it past the audition round, but the guy went viral before viral was even a thing. And while some contestants were bitter about being sent home, William was out here living his best life! Talk shows? Check. TV commercials? Check. A full-blown album? Oh, you better believe it—complete with “She Bangs” as the headliner. He even came back to American Idol during a special to celebrate the show’s most memorable moments. William Hung owned his moment. He didn’t walk away thinking he’d failed. Nope. He just leaned into the spotlight, stayed humble, and rolled with the punches. Sometimes, it’s not about being the best—it’s about being you. Maybe you don’t hit all the high notes in life. Maybe your “She Bangs” is more she clunks. That’s okay! It’s your passion, your authenticity, and your willingness to step out there and try that makes the real difference. Sure, William Hung might not be the poster child for spirituality, but there’s a lesson here: When you put your heart into something and commit fully, amazing things can happen—even if they don’t go the way you planned.

It doesn’t matter what your talent is. Singing or playing an instrument are not the only requirements to make a difference for God. If you’re a good listener, people always need an ear. I had a friend who used to work on people’s cars for free. He said, “I can’t sing or dance, but I can fix things!” And this isn’t a one-time deal. It’s daily. Every morning, we need to wake up, stretch, and go, “Alright, God, here’s my morning self—still a little groggy but ready to serve. Let’s do this!” It’s less about being perfect and more about showing up. God’s not looking for spiritual superheroes—He’s looking for people who’ll say, “I’m a work in progress, but I’m all Yours!”

Offering ourselves to God isn’t about losing ourselves—it’s about discovering our best self, the one full of purpose, laughter, and joy. So, whether we’re flipping pancakes, picking weeds, or leading a Zoom meeting, do it like you’re working directly for God. And don’t forget to laugh along the way—it’s the best kind of worship.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The first part sounds serious, warning us about the world system and what it has to offer. It’s like the Bible has a big detour sign on us. But when we break it down, the verse it has some really good life advice for all of us. So, the “world system” is like the ultimate peer pressure machine. It’s that friend who’s always trying to talk us into doing something you know we shouldn’t (while watching us fail). “C’mon, everybody’s doing it! Just one more drink! Buy that thing you don’t need—it’s on sale! Skip your quiet time—Netflix is calling!” You know the drill. The world is all about chasing the trends, fitting in, and doing whatever seems good and trendy right now. It’s like one giant TikTok challenge—except instead of a harmless dance move, the challenge is, “How far can we pull you away from God’s plan?” And let’s be honest, it’s sneaky. The world doesn’t show up in a red cape shouting, “I’m here to ruin your life!” Nope. It slides in like a smooth-talking salesman. “You deserve this. Treat yourself. YOLO!” Suddenly, you’re buying stuff you can’t afford, saying yes to things you don’t believe in, and living for likes instead of living for purpose. Thankfully, we’re not cookies. The world’s trying to shove us into its cookie-cutter mold, pressing us down until we fit its shape. But God’s over here saying, “Nah, you’re my masterpiece. No molds required.” How do we resist this cosmic cookie-cutter conspiracy? It’s simple—don’t play along. It’s as if though Bob Newhart was sitting across from us yelling, “Stop it!”

Transforming the mind is where the real action happens. It’s like a spiritual brain makeover—an extreme mind-makeover show, but God’s the host and we’re the lucky contestants. The world is like that overbearing friend who’s always trying to drag you into some bad idea. The battleground is our minds. It’s like a mental boxing match inside there. On one side, we’ve got the world throwing punches like, “Everyone’s doing it, why not you?” And on the other side, we’ve got God gently whispering, “Let’s aim higher. I’ve got better things for you.” What does it mean to “renew your mind”? Well, it’s kind of like updating our phones. We wouldn’t keep using the same old version forever, right? Renewing our mind is like downloading God’s latest software update—it clears out the junk, fixes the bugs, and gives us the tools we need to navigate life His way. And, thinking differently as a Christian isn’t about walking around with a holier-than-thou attitude like, “Oh, I’m so righteous.” It’s about rewiring your brain to focus on what really matters. It’s swapping out “How can I fit in?” for “How can I stand out for Jesus?” It’s replacing “What’s in it for me?” with “How can I serve others?”

It’s like putting on a new pair of glasses. Before renewing your mind, everything looks blurry—success, happiness, purpose. But with God’s lens, you see everything clearly: “Oh, that’s what life is about!” Suddenly, it’s not about keeping up with the Kardashians; it’s about keeping up with Christ.  Renewing your mind isn’t about being perfect—it’s about progress. It’s about showing up every day and saying, “Alright, God, let’s clear out yesterday’s junk and replace it with Your truth.” And before you know it, you’re thinking differently, living differently, and inspiring others to do the same.

Paul had a knack for getting straight to the point, and in this case, he laid it all out about how to live in the middle of God’s will. It’s not about memorizing a million rules or achieving enlightenment on a mountaintop. Instead, it’s about transformation—living with purpose and walking hand-in-hand with the One who created us. And Paul made it clear where to start. First, he told us to hit pause and reflect on God’s mercy. When we think about all the ways God has come through for us—past, present, and future. Simple things like when we find our car keys in the refrigerator (don’t ask), or when we landed a job we thought we bombed the interview for. God’s mercy isn’t just a one-time thing; it’s like a subscription that never expires. And recognizing that mercy is the foundation for everything else. Then he says, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice."—our whole self—mind, body, soul, and maybe even our coffee addiction—as an act of worship. Think of it like signing up for God’s ultimate loyalty program. It’s a daily choice to say, "Here I am, God—use me."

But the world is a sneaky little thing. It’s always trying to mold us into its shape, like a human-sized Play-Doh. Paul warned, "Don’t fall for it!" Conformity might feel cozy, like slipping into an old pair of shoes, but trust him—it leads to nowhere we want to go. Instead, he challenged us to go for something bigger: transformation. By renewing our mind. It’s like hitting the refresh button on our browser—except the browser is our brain, and the refresh is God’s truth. Paul was basically saying, "Let God’s Word do its thing." Dive into it. Meditate on it. Memorize it. Let it soak into your thoughts so much that when life throws you curveballs, your first reaction isn’t panic but trust. When we do these things—remembering God’s mercy, surrendering our life to Him, resisting conformity, and renewing our mind—we’ll find ourselves in the middle of His will. And God’s will isn’t some "meh" plan. It’s good, acceptable, and perfect. In other words, it’s like the best version of our favorite food—better than you can imagine and completely satisfying!

More to come…

A Broke Evangelist – December 6, 2024

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