GOD'S MERCY - THE REASON YOU SHOULD LIVE FOR HIM!
READ Romans 12:1-8
As we come now to the final section in the book of Romans, Paul turns his attention to the subjects of Christian service and practical Christian living.
For the next two days, I want to focus upon Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." I will focus on Romans 12:1 this morning and focus on Romans 12:2 tomorrow.
The word ‘therefore’ appears twenty-seven times in the book of Romans. Romans 12:1 is the sixteenth occurrence. Someone has said, "When you see the word ‘therefore’ you need to see what it is there for." All "therefores" link what has been written prior to the word with what is about to be written. It is a word of logic connecting the preceding thought with the following conclusion. The preceding truths include justification (by faith in Christ) and its blessings as described in chapter eight. It also includes the explanation of the current state of Israel and how they have been sidelined because of unbelief. More specifically, the immediately preceding context in chapter 11 has warned the Gentile Christian of spiritual carelessness and falling into the same chastisement God had given to Israel. With all of that having been said, Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Paul is urging believers in the church at Rome, "I beseech you therefore, brethren..." Again, "therefore" links the succeeding with the preceding. This admonishment is based upon "the mercies of God.” God has been exceedingly merciful in offering salvation to all of mankind, who were ungodly. Therefore, the obligations which he sets forth are most appropriate in light of God’s mercies toward us. Rather than the offerings presented during the dispensation of law, Paul now beseeches believers to present their own bodies a living sacrifice. To "present" in this context means to place at one’s disposal. Paul is urging believers to yield themselves to God, to give themselves to God on a daily basis. It is something we do over and over again, not once, but time and time again for the remainder of our lives on earth. Not only are we presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, but we are also presenting them, in the spirit of holiness, to God. Practically, that implies purity of morals, habits, and what is ingested into our bodies.
The comment “acceptable unto God” is more qualification of the preceding idea of holiness than another aspect of yielding. The word translated as acceptable has a basic sense of ‘well pleasing.’ We are instructed by the apostle to be well-pleasing to our heavenly Father.
Finally, the reference to this being our “reasonable service” is of note. The word translated as reasonable essentially means ‘logical’ as is apparent or reasonable. The word translated as service was used to refer to the service of the Levites at the Temple. It has the idea of service in the sense of a ‘ministry.’ We must realize that presenting our bodies a living sacrifice is literally our sacred service to God. Both service and worship are in view, and both are reasonable responses to our being born again. In contrast to unbelieving Israel, which had come to take for granted their position before God, we are enjoined to continually yield or present ourselves to God.
Have a great day as you continually present your body a living sacrifice to God!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Why do you need the mercies of God?
2. Think about this past week. In what ways has God been merciful to you?
3. What do you think is reasonable as it relates to your service and God’s mercy?
4. Is God pleased with your service? Explain.