Friday, June 22, 2018

June 23, 2018

"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

I am increasingly thankful I followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to spend the Summer preaching from Romans 12!

This chapter has significantly shaped my life as a follower of Christ! Coming back to study it again this Summer reminds me there is SO much more from this transformational Scripture that God wants to teach me!

Recently I have been drawn to the mention of God's mercy. Paul says, "Therefore....." That conjunction ties what he is about to say with what he has already said. So, to fully appreciate what he is about to teach us we much review what he has already taught since pure doctrine is truth built upon truth! 

Here is a summary of some of the "therefores" that you are urged to keep in view:

Examples of God’s mercy:
·  God credits us righteousness apart from works (3:22; 4:6)
·  God offers us justification and redemption (3:24)
·  Jesus’ sacrifice provides atonement (3:25)
·  God takes judgment on himself (3:25; 4:25)
·  God is forbearing and patience with us (3:25)
·  Our transgressions are forgiven and sins covered (4:7)
·  Our sins are not counted against us (4:8)
·  God gives spiritual life to the spiritually dead (4:17)
·  God makes peace between us and him (5:1)
·  God poured his love into our hearts (5:5)
·  He has given us the Holy Spirit (5:5)
·  God demonstrated his love for us while we were still in open rebellion against him (5:8)
·  He saved us from his wrath (5:9)
·  He reconciled us to himself (5:11)
·  He gives us eternal life (5:21; 6:23; 8:11)
·  He provides an overflowing and abundant provision of grace (5:15,17)
·  God has allowed us to die to sin (6:2)
·  God gives us new life (6:4)
·  He allows us to bear fruit (7:4)
·  He frees us from condemnation (8:1)
·  He makes us his children, heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ (8:17-17)
·  God shares his glory with us (8:17)
·  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (8:26-27)
·  God works for our good (8:28)
·  He conforms us to his likeness (8:29)
·  He is for us (8:31)
·  God doesn’t bring charges against us (8:33)
·  God provides his love from which we can never be separated (8:35-39)
·  God saves all who call on him (10:13)
·  He allows those who do not seek him to find him (10:20)
·  He offers us his kindness (11:22)
·  God gives us irrevocable calls and gifts (11:29)

Mercy is the often overlooked little brother of grace!

Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve!

Mercy is God sparing us from what we do deserve!

If you are thankful for grace be grateful for mercy!