GOD SAYS: THE BEST LIFE POSSIBLE IS LIVING IN SPIRIT-POWERED CONSECRATION:
The New Testament book of Romans describes the most important event of all human history: Christ’s work on the Cross.
In Romans 12, we find the response God expects from us as we begin to understand what salvation is all about.
Romans 12:1-2 breaks into four clear elements describing the consecration God asks for from everyone saved by Christ’s gracious sacrifice. If you have been saved by grace, through faith, these two verses are for you.
This is what Paul says:
1. Consecration’s Foundation: God’s Mercy to Me (v. 1a)
Romans 12:1a (NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
2. Consecration’s Description: My Body Offered (v. 1b)
Romans 12:1b (NKJV) that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
3. Consecration’s Expectation: My Mind Transformed (v. 2a)
Romans 12:2a (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
4. Consecration’s Reward: God’s Will Is Known (V. 2B)
Romans 12:2b (NKJV) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
So here we go. Please stand with me and read with me from your copy of God’s Word Romans 12:1-2.
1. CONSECRATION’S FOUNDATION: GOD’S MERCY TO ME (V. 1A)
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Paul is here summarizing the mercy of God in the eleven preceding chapters—God’s mercy to the completely fallen human race through the provision of his Son.
A completely sinful man was completely lost.
God provided a complete righteousness through the complete sacrifice of his Son.
A completely new life and purpose is now possible.
Given His mercy, God calls us to completely commit. Paul states that we have an obligation to respond to what God has done. The more we comprehend God’s excellent work, the more completely we surrender to Him.
WHEN WE SURVEY THE CROSS
Deeper meditation on Christ’s work leads to deeper surrender. As the hymn writer Watts confessed:
Love so amazing, so divine
demands my soul, my life, my all.
(FTF-14; 150104AM)
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