According to Romans 12:11-2 we are to yield our bodies continually to the Lord. Under od’s control, our unredeemed bodies can and should become instruments of righteousness. It is because our bodies are still mortal and sinful that, “having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). WE cannot prevent the remnants of sin from persisting in our mortal bodies, but we are able, with the Lord’s power, to keep that sin from ruling our bodies. Since we are given a new, Spirit-indwelt nature through Christ, sin cannot reign in our souls. And we must choose not to allow sin to reign in our bodies. Paul admonishes us, by God’s mercies, to offer our imperfect but useful bodies to the Lord as “a living and holy sacrifice.” We need to remember, that Gods’ first and most important requirement for acceptable worship has always been a faithful and obedient heart. The ability to Choose to overcome sin in this body comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit as He applies the Word of God to our hearts, and therefore transforms our minds. God’s Word transforms our thinking by helping us overcome the philosophies of our culture, and renewing our thinking by allowing the truths of God’s Word to replace the world’s approach to life. The goal therefore, is to stay in God’s Word so that the Spirit of God can renew our minds!
