Tag: Our Reasonable Service

romans 12: transforming power of the gospel

WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL says “…Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2), he is using the Greek word aion, which means “space of time” or “present time.” The Aramaic word alma has a deeper meaning: “surrounded in time.” Paul is warning us not to be squeezed into the mold of the present age.

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes” (Rom 12:2, Passion translation).

According to The Moody Bible Commentary, Romans 12:1 through 15:33 discusses the implications of being right with God, which necessarily begins with the implications of a believer’s spiritual commitment to the gospel (12:1-2).1 Right off the top, we are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. “Present” is an essential command to stand before God in service to Him (see Rom. 6:13). This is meant to be a lifetime commitment, suggesting completeness; one of full and far-reaching implications.

Marks of the True Believer in Christ

Paul told the Ephesians, “[I] urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1). This is what Everett Harrison calls “the necessity of a lived-out righteousness in those who are justified.”2 In fact, Harrison says our spiritual service is the practice of righteousness. It is this crucial element that has been missing in my Christian walk, which called for a fearless and rigorous look at my temperament and habits.

Just to be clear, we are not asked to practice righteousness under our own power. Frankly, that would be impossible. “Being” precedes “actions.” The indicative is what God has done for us; the imperative is what Paul calls our “reasonable” service. This is an exhortation. Matthew Henry identifies this as “godliness.”3 Again, this refers to important gospel principles. Henry writes, “Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do.”4 Martin Luther writes, “The true sacrifice which belongs to God is not outside us nor outside that which belongs to us… but we ourselves are this (sacrifice).”5

Not surprisingly, Paul brings righteousness full circle in the final chapters of Romans. He writes, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules… but is the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy” (Rom 14:17, Passion translation). We are also called to right relationship with fellow believers, toward society, and toward our government. We are not to conform to this present age, but we are called to walk in godliness. It is our proper worship. It boils down to rendering ourselves completely to God.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture contained herein is from the English Standard Version (ESV).

References

1 The Moody Bible Commentary, “Romans” (Chicago: Moody Publications, 2014), 1765.
2 Everett F. Harrison, “Romans,” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Revised Ed., Vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 181.
3 Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997), 1086.
4 Ibid., 1087.
5 Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1954), 167.

worship is more than singing

MANY OF US BELIEVE worship means praising God in song and dance. We call singing the worship portion of the service; the musician are called the worship team. For the most part, this is a harmless distinction. However, worship is much more than this. To limit the definition of worship to singing can cause us to limit or compartmentalize our worship. We can avoid this by having a full understanding of the word worship. Certainly, worship means to giving praise, glory, honor, and service to God. But, in addition to singing, we must also worship God by living in obedience to Christ, emulating His life and teachings.

Our worship, regardless of its form, must be wholehearted!

Jesus told the woman at the well, “…the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). We should worship from our position in Christ. Part of taking up our cross is identifying the center cross as our cross. When we do this, we identify with Christ as our proxy; our substitute; our propitiation; the very sacrifice for our sins. Carrying this through to the end, we realize we have also been resurrected to new life in Christ.

Peter said we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, called out of darkness into His marvelous light (see 1 Pet. 2:9). As such, we are “set aside” by God to worship and serve Him. Paul tells us the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). The depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God are unsearchable. From Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Rom. 11:36). Paul writes, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Rom. 12:1).

In the original Greek, the phrase “your bodies” is not merely a paraphrase for the word “yourselves,” but emphatically commands that we dedicate to God the very part of us which has an occasion to sin. Moreover, Paul is speaking about our bodies, hearts, and minds. We are called to serve God with our physical capabilities and with our intellectual and spiritual faculties. I believe the phrase “living sacrifice” includes being healthy and fit for service; being a good steward of the financial resources and assets with which God has blessed us in our present circumstances. Ready to go forth in obedience to God.

In closing, our worship must be comprehensive. God loves to hear us rejoicing in song, praising His name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre (see Psa. 149). David wrote, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!” (Psa. 57:5a, 7b, 8). When we acknowledge the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior to His people, we pause and worship Him. We worship God when we pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Paul writes, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Rom. 11:36). It is after this that he tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.

Remember, as you go forth each day, to strive for bringing honor and glory to God in all you say and do.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references contained herein are from the English Standard Version (ESV).