Why be holy?

 March 27, 2024

Romans 12:1 “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 rational service.”

 

Romans twelve is where doctrine and duty meet, where faith produces works, and where the law is played out through the Holy Spirit. Many people believe that the first eleven chapters of Romans is all doctrine, and the last five chapters is the daily living as a Christian.  This is true, but they are not two separate teachings. Paul takes eleven chapters to explain what God has done for us, through his mercy and grace, then when he says in the first verse of chapter twelve, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, it doesn’t sound crazy but becomes reasonable and makes sense.  Paul is a very rational, logical person who explains the reason for his exhorting.  He knew that for believers to live a righteous, humble, holy life he had to explain the reason for such a dramatic statement.  This type of faith in the gospel of Jesus is supernatural, a gift from God.  Yet he appeals to them to remember what he just told them and to act by faith in the promises of God.  Paul states in the first eleven chaptersamazing truths of Scripture, then in chapter twelve he begins to encourage, proclaim, exhort, and teach Roman Christians how they should live.  God doesn’t just put these truths in our minds and leave us alone.  He sends the Holy Spirit to empower us to remember, to apply, and to motivate others to put the truths of the gospel to work. He uses church members coming together as His body for proclaiming the good news of the gospel throughout the world.  When Christians realize this fantastic opportunity, that we have as chosen believers to glorify God with our whole body including our mind, soul, and spirit, we will be gladly willing to become a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

Therefore, let us begin with an overview of Paul’s magnificent, God breathed truths about us and our relationship with God,before and after our conversion from sin to righteousness, by our faith in Jesus.  I pray Lord God that the Holy Spirit will empower us by opening our eyes and hearts to these truths the Apostle Paul wrote down many years ago and will enlighten our minds and stir our hearts to live daily lives that glorify our God and Savior Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit Amen.