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MOTIVATE

There are a series of words that will change your life forever:

• You’ve been accepted.
• You’re hired. OR You’re fired.
• Will you marry me?
• I’m pregnant.
• They’ve died.

Each of these statements resonate with all of us at various life stages. We’ve heard and experienced the anticipation and elation of these statements, And sometimes these words have struck us unexpectedly and caused our life to hit pause for a season.

Whether we’re looking backward or forward to these statements, we know that life is a series of twists and turns that can change everything in the blink of an eye.

Today, I want to share another word that holds the key to life, history has hinged on this phrase, and it holds the power to motivate your every day.

“Therefore.”

It’s a simple word that we must ask, “What is the ‘Therefore,’ there for?

A man named Paul wrote this word many times because he realized that religious information requires life transformation. Paul understood that doctrine results in deeds; beliefs shape behavior.

Paul spends the first 11 chapters of Romans explaining the problem of humanity and why the gospel is the solution. Paul logically explains that humans have an innate law that comes from God (conscience) that we all fall short. Paul explains that God doesn’t accept us based upon obedience to a law code or religious work. Instead, God accepts us by faith in His mercy and grace. Therefore, how do we respond?

Romans 1-11 has 13 total commands. Romans 12 has 11 commands; more commands than any single chapter in the NT.[1]

Paul’s “Therefore” is prevalent in his letters because he wants us to understand the gospel is tethered to truth but it has practical application for the everyday. In essence, these verses are essential Christianity.

EXAMINE       Romans 12 Therefore[2]

¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Therefore, we are family.

The church is a family with different backgrounds but a shared purpose of turning strangers into friends and friends into the family of God.

Paul’s message appealed to the entire church – brothers and sisters. It wasn’t just for a hired paid staff but for every ordinary follower of Jesus. Christian service is not just for male disciples but female followers of Jesus too. It is for those who are talented, and those whose only talent remains to be identified. God’s army is comprised of young and old, and even the very old. Senior saint, God is not done with you. He’s not! There are people on the brink of eternity that your testimony will be the most credible in the life of another. The Great Commission was given to the disciples of the past, present, and the church today.  

The church is a family with different backgrounds but a shared purpose of turning strangers into friends and friends into the family of God.

Therefore, we are a family of worshipers.

Christianity recognizes reality. At the heart of every person is worship. This is why we were designed. “God made everything beautiful [as image reflectors of Him]… and placed eternity into the human heart” (Ecc 3:11).

Worship is one of those actions that we can get confused. Many confine worship inside a room with comfortable chairs and music that fits their preference. In this case, the audience of worship is about the person rather than God.

But worship is all encompassing of one’s life. And biblically speaking, the only person qualified to evaluate if worship was acceptable, or displeasing is God; He is the audience of one for worship. When we recognize that worship goes beyond a specific music environment to a comprehensive lifestyle, then we are beginning to align ourselves with God’s design for our life.

Aligning with the biblical pattern of worship from this text is three-fold:

1. Biblical worship is appreciation with our soul. Paul explains “by the mercies of God” which reminds us that colossal gratitude is a beginning perspective to worship God. Like the Psalmist says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name” (100:4) or “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (106:1)

The question is, do you still honor God when things are going well, or only when you’re in crisis? And when challenges arise, does your perspective find ways to be grateful or grumble? Paul spoke of this in the opening chapter, “although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but became futile in their thinking and their hearts were darkened” (Rom 1:21).

Throughout Romans, Paul explains plural mercies:

• God’s mercy is in offering life instead of nothing or death.
• God’s mercy is in offering grace instead of wrath.
• God’s mercy is in offering forgiveness instead of condemnation.
• God’s mercy is in offering freedom instead of being slaves to sin.
• God’s mercy is in offering the presence of the Holy Spirit instead of suffering alone.
• God’s mercy is in offering a future inheritance of glory instead of bankrupted groans.  
• God’s mercy is in offering love instead of indifference.  We are loved beyond understanding or what is deserved.

When we rightly understand the mercy of God, every opportunity is a privilege to sing His praise, serve His kingdom, spread His glory, and speak His name.

Colossal gratitude is a beginning perspective to worship God. When we rightly understand the mercy of God, every opportunity is a privilege to sing His praise, serve His kingdom, spread His glory, and speak His name.

Worshiping God in appreciation with our soul is to call upon the name of Jesus for salvation.

Ps 11612-13 “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.”

• Biblical worship is allegiance with our body. Paul explains “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The gospel redefines the sacrificial system in that worshipers no longer offer beasts or birds but the daily commitment of their living bodies.

Paul reminds Christians their bodies are not irrelevant. The Christian is to offer their body as “instruments of righteousness” (Ro 6:13), being “members of Christ” (1Cor 6:15), and the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19).^[3]

Though some may be positioned to become a martyr for Christ, all believers are required to live for Jesus. We live for Jesus with what we reflect on, what we spend energy with our hands, where we go, and what and who we give our most intimate self.  

Our allegiance is measured by living holy and pleasing to God, which means “consecrated or dedicated” to God.^[4] This is our reasonable and responsible service, to offer God unrivaled quality and undivided attention, being fully devoted to Jesus.

Giving allegiance to God means we are giving up authority and control of our life. There are many people who have professed faith in God with their lips but deep down they have not surrendered their life to Jesus because they’re still trying to control their circumstances. They value setting their schedules and creating their task lists, and not having interruptions. They hold people at arms length and avoid community in things like Bible Groups or Small Groups saying, “I’m too busy,” or “I’m focused on my immediate family,” or “I’m fine…”

But God disturbs. God meddles and pries, God uproots our idols and intrudes in ways that we don’t comprehend or celebrate but we are indebted to His sovereign intervention.

So, allegiance to God with your body can imply many action steps. But read this chapter and ask God to help you discern where to begin.

³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

3) Biblical worship is application from our mind.

² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul’s description of worship is complete

appreciation with our soul

allegiance with our body

application with our mind

Paul commands Christians not to be conformed (συσχηματίζω), a word from where we get schemes. The idea is that faith can easily be deceived by systems and structures that appear essential but are insignificant. Don’t be fooled. Don’t be conformed to this world.

Instead, be transformed (μεταμορφοῦσθε). Gospel transformation is different than religious change. Religion attempts to alter behavior by fear, shame, and guilt. While these are key stimulants, our faith is best motivated by grace, which is lavished only through Jesus Christ. Transformation is not something you create but cultivate by availing yourself of the means of spiritual growth. Jesus’ sacrifice enables our living sacrifice.

Ultimately, we will not enter heaven evaluated merely on the facts that we know. The devil believes in God, yet winces and trembles. Instead, we enter heaven by putting faith to practice in our soul, body, and mind.

APPLY/THINK

The old hymn says, “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.”[5]

Let the words of an old hymn stir you to new praise and devotion mind, body, and soul.

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[1] Pastor John Lindell, sermon on Romans 12:1-2.

[2] This message will mostly focus on vv.1-2 since previous messages have covered the chapter. See https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2023/01/22/gospel-dashboard-apprentice-romans-121-8/, https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2023/01/15/gospel-dashboard-family-romans-129-21/, https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2023/01/29/gospel-dashboard-warrior-romans-1212/

^[3] Leon Morris, PNTC, 433.

^[4] Leon Morris, PNTC, 434.

[5] Isaac Watts, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, 1707.