Romans 12

How shall we live as those who have been so greatly blessed by the grace of God? The Apostle Paul has spent eleven chapters persuading us that we are the recipients, not of what we deserve according to our works, but of the mercies of God. This kind of mercy must have implications for those who have embraced it? What kind of life makes sense for those who truly believe in the eternal mercies that have come to us through the cross of our Redeemer?

Jesus died for us. Paul tells us that it is ours to live for Him. His death was a sacrifice acceptable to God. Our lives are also to be a sacrifice, but a living one. A life lived with true gospel gratitude adorned with great fruits of the obedience that proceeds from faith is a life lived as an act of spiritual worship to God. Paul says that such a life is holy and acceptable when it is offered up to God through the perfection of Christ. How many of us allow ourselves to believe such good news about our acts of service to the Lord? We feel our shortcomings and weaknesses and easily focus on these. We can readily see that our obedience is still stained by our impure motives, words, and actions. Have we every really considered that our service of the Lord is holy and acceptable to Him because of our union with His Son?

This fits in well with the proclamation of Christ, assuring us that we will one day hear these words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." We do not have to try to impress God in order to win His love. We do not have to struggle for His attention and affection. He already loves us to the fullest in Christ who lived and died for us. As those who already possess His fatherly approval, we can let our hearts and lives be conformed to the heart and life of the God we worship, the God who loves us. What does God love? What does he command? What does He approve of? These are the things we should do. What does He hate? What does He forbid? These things are not for us.

The heart and mind of God for us is expressed perfectly in His Word. This is the only worthy pattern for us. We need not bother wasting our time trying to fit into everything that is applauded by everyone else, as if having God's approval, we now need to search for every approval as well. This kind of man-pleasing and world-imitating behavior is a huge waste of both time and emotional energy for the people of God. What we do need is the transforming of our minds by the living Word of God, so that we will be able to test our plans and actions according to the Scriptures. This is a pathway that God considers, "good, acceptable, and perfect."

The way of the world is a way of satisfying self first with what turns out to be the lesser pleasures of the applause and approval of people. It is a way of pride, rather than a way of true assessment of our gifts that would help us to ascertain the Lord's good purpose for us in our day. The way of the church is to see the gifts that God has given from on high for teaching and serving, and also for being taught and for being served, and finding contentment in the place that God has ordained for us within the body of His Son.

All of what we say and do can be an offering to God, if we are able to do it with genuine love. Genuine love does not pretend that evil is good, or that good is evil. It cleaves to one, and abhors the other. Love is lived out in accord with truth. Love acknowledges the institution of the church as the family and household of God, and is willing to care for those in need within that family. Love does not insist on the highest seat of honor, but remembers that our King washed His disciples feet before He carried the cross on which He would meet His mortal end.

Though love is aware of the distinction between the church and the world, it cares for strangers in our midst and seeks the overflow of God's blessings everywhere. There may be those who persecute us in various times and places, but love need not quit because of fiery opposition. Love can respond to enemies with uncommon generosity. Love tries to live at peace. This is not always possible, but it is the right desire of the one who knows that He is loved by the Almighty, for we have received far better treatment from God than we deserved.

It is the fact of gospel mercy through the cross of Christ that empowers this kind of renewed living. The cross that saved us also informs us, encourages us, and even compels us to live a life of love. What is the heart of God in any situation as He has revealed His will in the Scriptures? May this be our willing heart as well. Surely this is a prayer that He will be happy to answer. This is the way to have victory over evil, by serving up the love of which we ourselves have been partakers. God has told us to leave any wrath to Him. He has given us everything necessary to pour out His love upon the church and the world through sinners like us, sinners who serve Him, and whose efforts He calls both holy and acceptable in Christ.