Romans 12
Today's Passage: Romans 12
There is so much in this chapter, so I will mainly be talking about verses 1-2. Chapter 12 in Romans is where the book switches focus. Chapters 1-11 is Paul building his argument, and now he moves to drawing the conclusions that require action. Chapters 1-11 have been showing us an expansive view of God’s mercy on Jews and Gentiles. That is why the first sentence of chapter 12 says “therefore” (because of the first eleven chapters), “by the mercies of God”, then this is how you should live. He will describe what our lives should look like in the rest of the letter!
The first thing he says is to present their bodies as living sacrifices. The language of sacrifice would have been visceral for them as they were practicing the sacrificial system. Worship and sacrifice were very connected. This is not sacrifice in the abstract, but sacrifice that bleeds. John MacArthur said, “Your justification costs you nothing, but your sanctification will cost you everything.” That is the picture God is painting for us!
But Paul doesn’t say, “Do these things to earn God’s mercy”, he says, “Do these things because of the mercy God has already given”!
He appeals to his audience to be transformed by God’s Holy Spirit. The more you rely on God’s grace, the more you are aware of His mercies, the more you surrender to God, the more transformation will happen.
Read Romans 12 aloud at least three times. Is there anything in your life preventing you from being transformed into a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ?
Written By: Kaitlin White
There is so much in this chapter, so I will mainly be talking about verses 1-2. Chapter 12 in Romans is where the book switches focus. Chapters 1-11 is Paul building his argument, and now he moves to drawing the conclusions that require action. Chapters 1-11 have been showing us an expansive view of God’s mercy on Jews and Gentiles. That is why the first sentence of chapter 12 says “therefore” (because of the first eleven chapters), “by the mercies of God”, then this is how you should live. He will describe what our lives should look like in the rest of the letter!
The first thing he says is to present their bodies as living sacrifices. The language of sacrifice would have been visceral for them as they were practicing the sacrificial system. Worship and sacrifice were very connected. This is not sacrifice in the abstract, but sacrifice that bleeds. John MacArthur said, “Your justification costs you nothing, but your sanctification will cost you everything.” That is the picture God is painting for us!
But Paul doesn’t say, “Do these things to earn God’s mercy”, he says, “Do these things because of the mercy God has already given”!
He appeals to his audience to be transformed by God’s Holy Spirit. The more you rely on God’s grace, the more you are aware of His mercies, the more you surrender to God, the more transformation will happen.
Read Romans 12 aloud at least three times. Is there anything in your life preventing you from being transformed into a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ?
Written By: Kaitlin White
No Comments