In View of God's Mercy

I recently became convicted about the amount of stuff I'm reading and the fact that I haven't been diving into scripture as much. What I'd like to do is take you through one of my favorite scriptures, Romans 12 (R12). The scripture is referenced in the bi-line "Random musings from a Christian Workoholic driven to fulfill Romans 12". R12 plays a big part of who I am. Allow me to elaborate. I'll pick out key verses along the way. Today, I'd just like to look at R12:1

R12:1- Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.

I've known this scripture for years. I've lived it. As someone who is called into serve God with his vocation, I could have recited it to you over and over again, without missing a beat.

But I read this about a year ago, and it hit me. In view of God's mercy. I really do think someone wrote that in my Bible. I've never seen it before. And it's so minor. Five words. Yet, to me, it made a huge difference.

I've got the "offer your bodies part". I understand that as a living sacrifice I'm giving all to Him, allowing Him to take control of my life. While that is a difficult concept for some to grasp, I've found in my life it's easier to let Him deal with the high-pressure situations, and I can relax knowing I've got the Creator of the Universe in my corner. While I am not wholly holy, I know that I am constantly striving to live a life of holiness, so that the output of my life on this earth can be handed to my Father where I will be able to hear Him say "Well done thou good and faithful servant".

For a good part of my life, I had the "what" part down. It was the "why" I had forgotten. Why am I going through all of this? Why am I offering my life as a sacrifice? Why does God deserve my spiritual act of worship?

Mercy. When in view, it's a beautiful thing.

As great as I think I am. As holy as I portrayed myself to be. As proud I was that my "living sacrifice" was better than others, I needed a reminder that the reason that God desired this of me was because I am not capable of living my life w/o His Mercy. I owe Him.

In the time since then, I'd be lying to you if I told you things were always easy.
That I always felt that my sacrifice was being used by God.
That my worship to God was suspiciously looking like my worship of me.
That no frustration or temptation ever came my way.

But those moments were different than before. Rather than doing God's work blindly, I had five words that gave my life purpose, meaning.

Why am I doing this? Why would I give God complete control? Why do I strive to please Him? To present myself wholly holy before Him.

Five of the most beautiful words I've ever heard.
In View of God's Mercy

Comments

[B snow]

Thanks for giving me more insight of those five words! They are easy to just read over. I will be preaching my first sermon this Sunday on Romans 12. I will be sure to remember your comments "In veiw of Gods mercies" as I offer myself as a living sacrifice!