OUR REASONABLE SERVICE

ROMANS 12:1

A. "I BESEECH YOU, THEREFORE, BRETHREN BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE HOLY ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE"
  1. This special appeal by Paul to the Christian believers deserve our prayerful attention:
    1. Paul bases his strong appeal on "the mercies of God"
    2. God's mercies should impel us to place our bodies upon God's altar
  2. What is so important:
    1. That our bodies are in integral part of our worship
    2. That Bible Christianity includes body, soul, and spirit - I Thess. 5:23 B. A PRAYERFUL STUDY OF THE WORD OF GOD SHOWS VERY CLEARLY
  3. That our bodies belong to God for two strong Bible reasons:
    1. They were created in the likeness of the Creator - compare Gen. 1:26-27 with chapter 5:1; Rom. 8:29
    2. They have been bought by the blood of Jesus to be restored into His image - compare Eph. 2:10 with Col. 3:10; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; I Cor. 6:19-20
  4. That God has a very specific purpose in our bodies:
    1. They are to be the temple of the Holy Spirit - I Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20
    2. He who dwells with him who is of a contrite heart - Is. 66:1-2
  5. This is one of the great Bible reasons:
    1. Why men will receive the things done in the body be it good or evil - 2 Cor. 5:10
    2. When we abuse our bodies we sin against them, and will have to answer for this sin. Examples: Samson sinned against his body and paid a terrible price for that sin - Judges 16:20-23; Ancient Israel, too paid a heavy price for immorality - Num. 25:1-9 C. OUR REASONABLE SERVICE
  6. Satan knows that if and when he can control:
    1. The power of the eye of man, he will blind him to the terrible reality of sin; blinding is one of his objectives
    2. Writes Paul, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Cor. 4:4; Examples - Eve was carried away by the lust of the eye - Gen. 3:1-6; Achan was carried away by the lust of the eye - Josh. 7:20-21; Gehazi, too was carried away by the lust of the eye - 2 Kings 5:25-27
  7. Placing our faculties upon the altar of God:
    1. Is their only security against being used by Satan to sin against God and man
    2. When you arise in the morning place your whole being upon God's altar and leave yourself there, and you need never worry about your personal safety
  8. What is of very special importance in this message is:
    1. That when we do place our bodies upon God's altar it is to be "a living sacrifice" - that means that God wants our bodies while they are in glowing health, not torn down by diseases. This is a truth too few seem to realize. God wants us in the prime of our life to use to powers of the body to combat sin and do work of righteousness
    2. That is one great reason why the message for our day emphasizes man's threefold development (1) mental; (2) physical; (3) and moral when the mind is sound; when the body vibrates with health and vigor, when our moral perception is high, there are no limits to what can be done with and for God. Examples: Our finite minds are not capable to rationalize the powers Adam possessed before sin tore down his strength. We have glowing exceptions in the men Joseph, Moses, Daniel and other great Bible characters.
  9. Our reasonable service: when we have placed our whole being upon the altar of God's service; when our powers are under the control of the Holy Spirit; when each of our powers testifies to the saving mercies of God; then we have true reason for you in the Lord. We wish to cast no reflection upon those who may not enjoy good health, but who truly love the Lord.


Design © John Bryant 2011