Determine if the following passage is Ordinary Speech, Parable, Poetry or Apocalyptic Speech.?

Question

*Romans 12:1-2*

Determine whether the passage is to be interpreted Literally, Figuratively, OR both.

Answer 1

This verse is tells me to live my life in honor of God, to forgo the earthly desires (sins) and the think/act Godlike. Unfortunately, I fall short every day, as I am man, and need to have God's only son to be sacrificed for me and those who believe. I think it is literal and written well (poetry).
Here are the verses you refer to so others may be more inclined to "answer".

"1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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."

Answer 2

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This passage is "spiritual speech". It is to be interpreted like this. A believer should offer their body up for Holy service to the Lord and not to being a servant of sin. A believer should have a spiritual mind set where they consider themselves to be ambassadors of Christ here on earth looking forward to the new earth and heavens to come and not get caught up in temporal pursuits.

Answer 3

Rom. 12:1 (NIV)Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.

I'm guessing the idea is that you're supposed to have no will or desires of your own, but are to live your life completely for God. It is not explained exactly how one is to know what God's will is, or even how to prove that God exists. Is one supposed to wait for a voice in the head saying things like, "Hey, take that job!" or "No, don't buy a Chrysler, buy a Toyota!" Not that it matters, though. No Christian lives according to what Jesus preached in the gospels, anyway, so they can safely ignore these verses, too.

Answer 4

Nein

You didn't give me the passage. What you think I'm gonna reach over two feet and take the bible out of my top drawer and open up to romans 12:1 where I marked it yesterday because I knew you would ask this but the toast was burning so I couldn't read it?

Answer 5

In the literal sense -- but not in the way you might be thinking.

Paul "offered" his body in that he worked tirelessly for one cause and one cause alone: that of making Jesus Christ known and loved throughout the Gentile world. We are all called to bring his love to others. I teach Special Ed in a public high school. I cannot preach about Jesus' love to my kids but I CAN certainly allow Him to demonstrate that love THROUGH me. I'd really rather not work with such needy kids -- but it is my calling from Him....and so I spend my energy, time, resources for their greater good. Even on weekends and throughout the summer, I am developing new materials, ideas and ways of implementing them....I spend my life for them. It'd be a lot easier to work with "normal" kids -- or to sit back and relax....but I must be faithful to my calling.

Medical professionals cannot preach Jesus' healing love to others -- but they can -- and DO -- demonstrate that love through their dedication in their profession. Parents do likewise. Many, many people do -- even without consciously being aware of it. And so, they DO offer their bodies as a living sacrifice.