BIBLE BULLETS - 15

Romans 12:1-2

In the early 1700’s the English pastor and prolific hymn writer, Isaac Watts, introduced words that have been grafted into our hearts and minds. The lyrics remind us of Jesus’ sacrificial death… “When I survey the Wonderous Cross … See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! … Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Watts challenges us to consider the high cost of our eternal salvation. Imagine the thirty-three-year-old Jewish man nailed to a splintered wooden cross. Imagine the price that He paid to purchase our pardon! The hymn’s conclusion: Because Jesus paid it all, all to Him we owe.

That’s what the Apostle Paul seems to do in the letter to the Roman church. He addressed the church with the deeply theological truths concerning the wonders of salvation by grace, of justification by simple faith, of a life without condemnation. When the author starts the twelfth chapter, he writes:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1–2).

In light of God’s rich mercy, and because “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23), because we have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1), because He demonstrated His love for us when “Christ died for us”(Romans 5:8), because of the adoption that makes us “heirs of God and coheirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17)… “Therefore!”

“Therefore” … the Holy Spirit, through His Holy Word, urges us to give ourselves as “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God… not conformed to this age, but transformed” by Christ’s indwelling presence.

Our salvation is free… but it cost Jesus everything! “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).