Interpretation of the Bible / Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. It is important to understand that the sacrifice mentioned here does not refer to the offering of an animal in the Temple, but rather to the offering of our own lives. Paul calls us to dedicate our whole selves to God—our minds, our thoughts, our emotions, our desires, and our physical bodies.

Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices

The idea of ​​presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice may seem radical and impractical, but this idea is found throughout the New Testament. These verses are a call to live in obedience to God as an act of worship. That is, our entire being is to be dedicated to serving God, not just at certain times of the day or week.

It is also important to note that this living sacrifice does not involve denying ourselves or denying our needs. Rather, it is about giving our whole selves to God, trusting that He will direct our lives and provide for us along the way.

True worship

When Paul speaks of “true worship,” he means something deeper than simply worshiping God in a temple. This worship is about our personal devotion to God, experienced daily. Here Paul suggests that the true act of worship is to give our whole being to God, which means total devotion and living by His principles and values.

It is important to note that when we give ourselves completely to God, we lose nothing, but rather gain everything in Him. When we give ourselves to God, our lives begin to have a greater purpose, our desire for worldly things diminishes, and we begin to experience a peace and joy that transcends the problems we may face.