Yesterday we began the second half of our "Among Us" campaign by digging into Romans chapter 12. Paul's letter to the Romans has been one of the most influential books in the history of the church and personally one of my favorites. It's very deep theologically and based on that theology it is incredibly practical for our lives today. It was in studying the book of Romans that Martin Luther recovered the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith for the church.
For the next 4 weeks we are going to be looking at Romans 12 through, hopefully, 14. This week we will be working our way through chapter 12.
Romans 12:1–2
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 spiritual worship. 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.
The first thing you should notice, if I have taught you anything about Bible study, it is the "therefore". What do we do when we find a "therefore"? You got it, find out what it is there for. Here it is pointing back to the theology of the previous 11 chapters of the book. Chapter 12 begins what we would call the application section of the letter. Paul has spent the first 11 chapters deeply expounding on the theology of Israel's history and how that relates to salvation today through Jesus. Instead of me spending a ton of time on this be sure to check out the Bible Project video I've linked you to below.
This is further seen in his next phrase, "by the mercies of God". First, note that Paul doesn't base his appeal on his own apostolic authority, which he could. He bases it on the mercy of God in salvation. So what are the mercies of God? Well, that is a loaded question that Paul has just spent 11 chapters expounding. With this statement he invites his readers to remember what he has just said, the primary theme being the incredible grace and mercy of God for humanity. Chapters 1-4, especially 1:18-3:8, Paul makes clear that all humanity is trapped in sin and in need of salvation.
Romans 3:9 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.
God accomplishes this salvation through Jesus sacrifice on the cross, freely by his grace. This is to be received by his people through faith.
Romans 3:22–24 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
In this God has made those who have faith in him alive in Christ and given them the Holy Spirit (see 6:1-14 and 8:1-17).
Going further, in Romans 9-11 Paul makes it explicitly clear that the salvation of his chosen is a work of God's mercy. A quick search of the word "mercy" in Romans reveals most of the hits to be in chapters 9-11. Here's a few for reference:
Romans 9:15-16 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Romans 9:18 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
Romans 11:30-32 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
At the outset here, we must note that it is Paul's theology that dictates his behavior. The nerdy way of saying it that orthodoxy (that is right thinking) determines orthopraxy (that is right living). So throughout this study we will be referencing back to what Paul has said in the previous 11 chapters to see the theology in which Paul bases his ethical imperatives.
The word translated "brothers" here can refer to women as well. It is not restricted to only men, which the NIV translates it "brothers and sisters." This makes sense with the context of the whole letter, since at the end of the letter Paul exchanges pleasantries with his readers and addresses many women.
Additional Content
Reflection
To fully grasp the mercy of God we must first grasp our own sinfulness and rebellion against God and consider the punishment that we deserve for our sinfulness. Once we have done that we can begin to understand the mercy of God. Read some of those verses again and think deeply on how God has shown mercy, not only to you but to the whole world. Give him thanks for his mercy shown you. Tomorrow we will explore the proper response to his mercy.