Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
“The connecting word ‘therefore’ (Rom 12:1) that introduces Paul’s exhortations is not artificial. The life of obedience is entirely a grateful response to God’s benefactions and entirely predicated on them. Morality is not to be detached from theology but is truly only meaningful, possible and desirable when the connection between God’s gift and our response is made clear. The only fitting response to such selfless generosity on the part of God — the self-giving of the benefactor — is a like return from the recipients of God’s beneficence: “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living and holy sacrifices, acceptable to God.”
David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 1463.
For too many of us, our response to God’s benefactions is detached from reality. It marks a pathetic return, at best, compared to the level of sacrifice of God’s gift for us.
The Apostle Paul appeals to us because of the mercies of God (think: because we did not get the death we deserved) to give our lives as living and set apart sacrifices.
I have one more week of giving my life in service to workers in India. I praise God for continued good health and strength. How can you give your life as a living sacrifice this week for God?
Is it VBS season at your church? Serve. Does your neighbor need assistance? Help. You don’t have to go overseas to aid others. But you do have to leave your comfort zone.