Chapter 12 of Romans is one unique chapter that wraps up God's demand for the New creation man. In the first 2 verses of this chapter, I had these lessons:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, ...
The above phrase reminds me of the laws that governed sacrifices and offerings in the book of Leviticus. I see God re-echoing His name as One full of mercy like He told Mose in Exodus 33 & 34. This attribute points to His readiness to help us undergo this process to perfection. We do not need to depend on our strengths , rather see His mercies that are new every morning.
...that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
The call to present our bodies as living sacrifices shows God's freewill granted to man. It is our responsibility to PRESENT. Our bodies would not come to God willingly because of the fleshly desires, it requires our determination to bring it before the Lord so He can make it a holy sacrifice. Our willingness to present is what God will act on.
And do not be conformed to this world,...
We are admonished not to be like the world. God knew that each day, the world system will keep deteriorating. Reason Jesus prayed for His disciples that God would keep us in this world. The world's perspective of reasoning, and patterns of doing things is at variance with God, we have to seek to know the difference.
... but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
Our consciousness should be in the renewal of our minds on the word and knowledge of God through His Spirit. Each day, we should be conscious of screening our lives based on the demands of God's word so we know where we failed and where we should improve.
...that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
It is in the searching and examining of our lives based on God's word that we'll be able to prove and live out the will of God.
Summarily, a sacrifice is dead and we have to be dead to flesh and become alive in God so we can live out God's purpose.
God help us.