“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). In view of God’s mercies to all people, Paul urged Christians to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God. The sacrifice of Jesus in becoming human, dying on the cross, and being raised from the dead gives Christians the foundation to live their lives as sacrifices to God.

Earlier in the epistle to the Romans, Paul commanded, “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom. 6:13). If our lives are to be sacrifices well-pleasing to God, then we must live in holiness and righteousness. Romans 12:2 explains this two-fold endeavor by which we present our bodies as living sacrifices: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Notice both the negative and positive of this verse. Negatively: do not be conformed to this world. Positively: be transformed by the renewing of your mind. If we have been born again to new life in Christ, then we must not conform ourselves to the former lusts that characterize worldly ignorance of spiritual truth, but instead be holy as our Father in heaven is holy (1 Pet. 1:14-16).

Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20); thus, we should be heavenly-minded instead of earthly-minded (Col. 3:2). This present age is evil (Gal. 1:4). The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are transient; whoever loves and pursues them does not love God (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Are we becoming conformed to the world in what we promote, in how we dress and speak, in our entertainment selections, and in how we operate in the church? Are you pursuing the lusts of this world or the will of God? The church is beset by members who think and live like the world. Let us be on guard against the pride of life, lest we become conceited and engage in political maneuvering in the church instead of humbly serving God (Rom. 12:3). We must be cautious of merely claiming to love others, but not genuinely, only hypocritically (Rom. 12:9). The worldly mindset is subtle enough to make all our apparent “goodness” actually rotten at its core if deep down we are selfish and proud.

Instead of allowing the world to squeeze us into its mold, our thinking must be transformed to the mindset of Christ. The New Testament reveals to us the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and looking intently into it can bring about transformation (2 Cor. 3:18). The revelation of Christ is the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25); however, we must not merely look into it and forget, but rather reflect and make necessary changes (Jas. 1:21-24). Our lives can reflect the divine light to the world (Mt. 5:14; Jn. 8:12; 9:5).

We can find out and follow the will of God and thus show its genuineness. This is what is meant by “prove” in the last part of Romans 12:2, “that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Notice God’s will is described as good, acceptable, and perfect. God’s will is beneficial when we put it into practice. Christianity is more than attending church service fairly often and doing a few good things for others from time to time. It is presenting oneself as a sacrifice to God every day with a serious devotion to holiness and righteousness in keeping God’s will.

Luke 18:35 refers to a blind man who sat begging by the road near Jericho. Evidently, this is Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, mentioned in Mark 10:46. This man heard a multitude passing by and asked what it was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by (Lk. 18:37).

He called out to Jesus for mercy and referred to him as the “Son of David” (Mk. 10:47; Lk. 18:38). The significance of this reference is found in the exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees in Matthew 22:41-46. In first-century Jewish terms, “the Son of David” was equivalent to Christ, the Messiah (Mt. 22:42). Jesus was not merely a descendant of David, but rather the promised king of Israel.

Much like the disciples who tried to prevent children from being brought to Jesus (Mk. 10:13-16), many thought Jesus would have no time for a blind man; they rebuked Bartimaeus and warned him to be quiet (Mk. 10:48). But he cried out even more (Lk. 18:39). Jesus stopped and granted him sight (Mk. 10:49-52; Lk. 18:40-42). Jesus noted this man’s faith (Mk. 10:52; Lk. 18:42). Just because he was blind did not mean he was cut off from all knowledge. Likely he heard the scriptures read in the synagogue. He probably also heard about the miracles and teachings of Jesus. Despite his handicap, he was able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth about Jesus being the fulfillment of the Old Testament. This blind man saw something that others who had sight did not see. As the old saying goes, “none are so blind as those who will not see.”

On another occasion when Jesus healed a blind man, the Pharisees refused to believe (John 9). They had the erroneous conviction that the blind man was born in sins and could not teach them anything; thus, they cast him out of the synagogue (Jn. 9:34). Jesus said, “For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind” (Jn. 9:39). No wonder when Jesus rebuked this sanctimonious sect, he used the term “blind Pharisee” (Mt. 23:26).

Many are blind to the truth today because of the same pitfalls of the Pharisees. Whereas Bartimaeus was in a lowly place, the Pharisees sought places of honor among men (Mt. 23:5-12). Maintaining a place of power blinds men to the clear signs God has given (Jn. 11:47-50). The Pharisees were covetous (Lk. 16:14). Pride, self-sufficiency, and earthly riches can make one blind to spiritual truth like the Laodiceans were (Rev. 3:17). The Pharisees followed man-made traditions over the word of God (Mk. 7:1-23). We are to be on guard against any human teaching that would take our hearts captive and prevent us from walking in Christ (Col. 2:8).

If a man desires to do God’s will, he can discover the truth and differentiate it from error (Jn. 7:17). The one with an honest and good heart receives the word of God and brings forth fruit (Lk. 8:15). Do we spend our energy tearing down others based on misguided judgments, or do we take time to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5)? We all need to be honest with ourselves and with the word of God, lest our minds become blinded to the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4).

The apostle Paul gives God’s qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The word that is translated “deacon” in English versions of the Bible has the basic meaning as “one who serves.” This same word is translated as “servant” or “minister” in other places in the New Testament that do not refer to the specific role of deacon in the church (Mt. 22:13; Jn. 2:5, 9; 1 Cor. 3:5). Just as with the term “elder”—which may be used generically to refer to an older person (1 Tim. 5:1; 1 Pet. 5:5), but in Titus 1:5 refers to a particular position—the term for deacon may be used generically. Generic uses refer to any kind of servant. However, in 1 Timothy 3, the context is specific offices/roles in the church fulfilled by men who meet the listed qualifications; thus, it is used in a technical sense. A deacon is a servant in the church who meets these qualifications.

Deacons are to be, as the KJV reads, “grave”—serious and dignified in their work (1 Tim. 3:8). They are not to be double-tongued—telling different tales insincerely to appease people—but rather should engage in straight-talk.

Deacons should not be given to much wine. Alcohol for recreational use is left behind when one becomes a Christian (1 Pet. 4:1-4). The “much wine” here is the Bible’s way of describing things that should not be taken as a license to participate in a little bit. Jesus warned us not to be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life (Luke 21:34). He did not mean we could do a little carousing and drunkenness provided we are not weighed down by it. Later in 1 Timothy, Paul had to tell Timothy to stop drinking water and take a little wine for his stomach’s sake, seemingly for medicinal reasons (1 Tim. 5:23). Timothy conscientiously avoided wine as a rule, so should Christians including deacons today.

Deacons are not to be greedy of dishonest gain (1 Tim. 3:8). Like the previous point, this does not mean a little dishonest gain is all right as long as one is not greedy for it. Deacons often handle financial transactions of the church in their service. A deacon who desires wealth without regard to biblical ethics can cause great damage to the church.

Deacons are to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience (1 Tim. 3:9). The faith is the gospel plan of salvation (Acts 6:7; Jude 3). It is called a mystery by Paul because it was unknown in former ages and had to be revealed by God (Eph. 3:1-6; 6:19; Col. 1:24-27). To hold it is to adhere steadfastly to it instead of drifting away from it into false systems of thought (1 Tim. 1:19; 2 Tim. 1:13). Deacons hold on to the truth of the gospel with a pure conscience—they firmly believe and live out the gospel. Sometimes the church may be tempted to downplay the importance of a deacon being sound in the doctrine of Christ, perhaps because it is thought that he will be involved merely in physical chores, but this is a mistake since the Bible highlights his firm grasp of the gospel.

Deacons demonstrate their proficiency at leading a work of the church by first showing their ability to govern their homes. A deacon must be the husband of one wife and manage his children and household well (1 Tim. 3:12). Deacons are first to display proven experience to the congregation before being installed (1 Tim. 3:10). They are installed if they are beyond reproach.

We need spiritually mature men who meet these qualifications to step up and make sure the church accomplishes the Lord’s work. Let us be appreciative and respectful of the men who serve well in these capacities.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is foundational to Christianity. This truth must be believed to become a Christian. Romans 10:9 says you must confess the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead in order to have salvation. Some among the Christians in Corinth, perhaps influenced by Greek philosophers (Acts 17:32), started to say that there was no resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:13). To show the seriousness of such an error, Paul lists to the Corinthians the unacceptable logical consequences of this position, which would include the following: Christ would not have risen, our preaching is empty, your faith is empty, we are false witnesses of God, you are still in your sins, those who have died in Christ have perished, and Christians are of all men most pitiable (1 Cor. 15:13-19). The resurrection is that crucial to Christianity.

When one is baptized, one becomes united with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3-5). Baptism saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet. 3:21). God has begotten Christians to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3).

God has not only raised Jesus from the dead, He has also glorified Him (1 Pet. 1:21). Jesus is seated at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers having been placed in subjection to Him (1 Pet. 3:22). To Jesus belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever (1 Pet. 4:11).

The resurrection of Jesus gives Christians hope of a future resurrection. We have hope beyond the grave (1 Cor. 15:12-20). The dead in Christ will rise when Jesus returns (1 Thess. 4:16). However, we will not have physical  bodies; a change will occur (1 Cor. 15:51). Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50). Paul makes a contrast between the body that dies and is buried in the earth and the body with which one is outfitted for eternity (1 Cor. 15:35-49). “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:53).

Notice these words: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil. 3:20, 21). What exactly this will be like we do not know, but we with faith look toward it. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2).

Abraham did not know how God would fulfill the promise to make a great nation from his seed if he sacrificed Isaac (Gen. 21:12; 22:2, 18). He had an idea about what God would do, which was mistaken (Heb. 11:17-19), but nonetheless he followed God’s instructions by faith and was rewarded according to the promise (Rom. 4:13-22). We today must also follow in the steps of faith of Abraham (Gal. 3:7-9, 26-29). We may not have all the details figured out about what heaven will be like, but we must by faith follow God’s commands to inherit it (1 Pet. 1:4; Rev. 22:14).