The people of the old covenant confirmed their thankfulness for the goodness of God through various contributions in the temple. They offered, as a representation of themselves, an animal sacrifice for each known sin, and in doing so cleared their sins before God. After the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, Paul suggested to the believers in Christ, who were of the people of the old covenant who lived in Rome, that they should not offer money and sacrifices to God. Instead they should offer themselves and their bodies and commit themselves completely to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a commitment would show that they do not belong to themselves any longer, but that they only belong to God.
This subject leads to the definite question which is relevant to every Christian: “Do you still belong to yourself, or have you offered yourself to God in acknowledgement of the salvation of Christ?”
This offering does not mean that Christians must put themselves to death, but that they must not be lazy any more, and begin to serve God using their spirit, body, money, and everything they have. This offering also includes the spiritual struggle against all the temptations of our bodies, for the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh (Galatians 5:17). Paul refers to himself, as an explanation to this verse: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:19-20).
The apostle Paul bound himself completely and eternally to Christ to the extent that he considered himself dead, and only living by the life of Christ given to him by the Holy Spirit. In this same sense, the apostle asks you to offer your life to God and to his Son that you might become a righteous man. Christ will purify you through his blood and through the dwelling of his Spirit in your body that you may become a holy sacrifice acceptable to God. Both of these gifts, the blood of Christ and the dwelling of his Spirit in you, are the eternal life given to you. So return to your heavenly Father and to his limitless mercy, that he may fill you newly with his holy power every day.
The apostle Paul refers to the full commitment of the Christian as: “your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Your joyful singing is essential in your service to God, and your prayers and supplications have a great power, but the Lord also expects your final decision to commit yourself to him entirely and forever. This is the evangelical commitment, which happens only once. The new covenant then comes into your life, and the eternal life in you.