Two-A-Days

Romans 12:1-3

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012%3A1-3&version=NIV;AMP

  

Traditionally, this is the time of summer when two-a-day football practices begin.

As the name implies, two-a-days are where players participate in two practices every day… for two weeks… in the heat of August.

 

It’s a time that separates the men from the boys. It’s a time when you run to the point of exhaustion… and then get sick. It’s a time when you have muscles ache that you didn’t even know you had. It’s a time to prove yourself.

 

The purpose of these grueling practices is to get into shape physically. But it is also to get into shape mentally. In effect, it is the coaches saying to you, “You’ve had all summer to do whatever you wanted to do, and now you’re mine”!

 

By spending more time with the players, the coaches can establish the culture of the team. They stress sacrifice, discipline, and commitment. It’s an emphasis on team over individual. In some ways, that’s what Paul was calling the Roman believers to do also; a fully committed sacrificial life.

 

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

 

Then, like the coaches demanding a radical change from the summer, Paul calls for the Romans to a life of change; a transformed life.

 

² And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].          AMP

 

Two-a-days are a physical, mental and emotional boot camp to prepare players for a season of football games. As Christians, we need “two-a-days” that prepare us spiritually, emotionally and mentally for life. These two-a-days come through worshiping the Living God by offering your bodies as a living sacrifice with all your heart, soul, mind and strength in everything you do and say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some other verses that you may fine helpful.

 

 

Mark 12:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

 

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

 

Romans 6:13 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

(The word used for transformed in this verse, is the same Greek word that is used when Jesus is transfigured.)

 

1 Peter 2:4-5 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.