When we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, we test all things and hold fast to the good.

By our living sacrifice we prove “what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God” in our walk in Christ, our Messiah. Paul presents that as an exhortation in Romans 12:1-2.

“Therefore I exhort you, brothers [and sisters], through the compassion’s of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you to prove what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2 BLB.

The Greek words for prove are found in 22 different verses that help us understand what Paul is exhorting.  He fully explains the meaning in to the Thessalonians and us.

“But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.”   1 Thessalonians 5:12–24 ERV.

Paul follows chapter 5 in the next chapter, 2 Thessalonians 1; showing how they offered their bodies as a spiritual sacrifice.

“¹Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Philemon 1:1-3) unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul thanks God for their faith.  (1 Corinthians 1:4-9; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-14)

“³We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God;”

The outcome of proving the faith of the Thessalonians and us.

“⁶to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.”

Paul’s sealing prayer for the Thessalonians and us.

“¹¹To which end we also pray always for you,that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”   2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ERV.

“But an hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father also seeks such who worship Him.  God is Spirit, and it behooves those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth.”   John 4:23-24.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.”   1 Corinthians 13:13.

~ Bill Bremer

Bill Bremer is Founder and Managing Director at Kingdom Relationships Colorado.

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