0510 THEREFORE . . . WORSHIP!

THEREFORE . . . WORSHIP

We arrive at last at the “therefore” of the first 11 chapters of Romans. He has talked about the flesh, the law, the Jews, the Gentiles, the way of death and the way of life, the death and resurrection of Jesus, the bad news of sin and the good news of salvation. And now, he says, “Therefore, in view of God’s mercy…” I would love to hear this, the practical application of all that doctrine and theology. What is it, Paul? What are we to do?

Here’s the short version of what Paul writes: “Therefore . . . Worship.”

When we think of the word worship, the first thing that most of us think of is “music.” Therefore, in view of God’s mercy, show him your thanks by singing praises to God. And so we sing, “Thank you, Father, for taking care of my sin problem. In exchange, I say thanks by raising my hands and singing.”

No, it goes much deeper than a song of thanks. Remember, Paul had said we have been united with Christ in his death, that we are to count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. That we have been released from the law because we are dead, and that we now live in accordance with the Spirit. So when we get to this great therefore, it goes way beyond singing a song. This is a matter of life and death. A matter of fulfilling the law and replacing animal sacrifices and making the death of Jesus our personal state of life.

So here is how we worship in view of God’s mercy:

“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. 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 ‭NIV

He’s not saying anything new, really. But he’s summarizing, and it’s good to see the center of our response in a few words. In view of God’s mercy, I offer my body as a living sacrifice. I count myself as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Yet, though I am dead, and I have been sacrificed, I am still a “living sacrifice” making moment-by-moment conscious choices to continue on the path of self-denial and absolute service to God.

And through this action, the sacrifice becomes more than the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world; it becomes me offering my own self as a sacrifice to God. I am the lamb. I am the one who is offering it on the altar. I am dead to myself and alive in Christ. God is my creator, and I am his creation, made to show his glory and love. So when I lay myself on the altar over and again, I am holy and pleasing to God—the kind of worship offering that is accepted, and even brings pleasure to the Father. 

Remember how God said that the burning of animals on the altar were pleasing to him? How much more must He take delight in my surrender to his will.

This then becomes my true worship, and my right relationship with my creator. I purposely choose not to conform to the pattern of this world, but I let the Lord transform me by the renewing of my mind. The world has pressed me into its mold, pressuring me from the outside in. But the Spirit changes me by renewing my mind from the inside out. And his good, pleasing and perfect will includes me testing and approving His grand plan for me.

It is a glorious, life-giving relationship with my creator, offered through Jesus Christ, my savior and my God. Romans describes so well how and why of our relationship with the Father.

May you offer yourself on the altar today, and know that your doing so brings the Lord pleasure. Amen.