Therefore …
Romans 12:1-2
1 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.
This section of scripture begins with a ‘therefore’, so what is the ‘therefore’ there for? In my opinion Paul is saying “Because of everything I have written in this letter to the Romans so far, I urge you to….”
This letter has been one of incredible depth as the amazing plan of God to forgive, heal, restore and give life is revealed. The scope and ugliness of human sin is explored and contrasted next to the wisdom and love of God. Jesus is revealed as the centre piece of all history and the one who brings life from death.
So here, Paul says to me “because of God’s love, because of his wisdom, because I am helpless without Him, give yourself fully to him!”
I am to come to him in prayer, surround myself with His Word, be in the midst of his people and obey what he has said. By doing so I will not just read of the love and wisdom of God, but experience it for myself, taste it and approve that surely His will and plans are good!
Lord, I do not want to be a bystander looking on, I want to get to experience this beautiful and perfectly good plan. God, I will experience your goodness in reading and obeying your Word, in praying and listening to your Spirit, in spending time with your saints and obeying your commands. Thank you for your Spirit so that I can do all these things! You are good!
Written by Andrew Mellor