Serving the Lord

We definitely live in a day when serving the Lord is a very trying task.  Satan likes to put so much in our way that sometimes it is almost overwhelming to us.  Yet, in spite of this, it is possible to serve the Lord in the way He wants us to.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1 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.

When Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus, he asked the Lord the question, “What wilt thou have me to do?” Immediately upon his profession of faith, Paul was ready to serve Lord.  This blog has its aim of trying to explain the need and the significance of serving the Lord, and to challenge you to present yourself a “Living Sacrifice.”

Romans 12:1 challenges every believer to serve Lord.  That is a matter of practically applying to our lives what we know the Bible teaches.  All the precious truth of the Word profits little to the believer if he fails to apply it to his everyday living.

“Beseech” in the text indicates it is in the form of a plea.  Certainly Paul could have commanded the Roman saints how to live. However, with the tender heart of a pastor and the compassion of the Holy Spirit superintending, he pleaded with them to meet the challenge for godly living.

“Therefore” in the text bases the challenge on previously revealed truth in the book of Romans. The great doctrine of justification is certainly a solid basis for it (Romans 5:1; 8:1-39).  Without justification by faith there is no such challenge.

“By the mercies of God” bases the challenge on God ‘s mercies. Since He has been merciful in forgiving, since He has been merciful in providing, since He has been merciful in protecting, and since He has been merciful in promising, there is plenty of incentive to serve Him.

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice” places the challenge in the sphere of service. The believer’s soul is presented to the Lord in repentance and faith, but there is also a need to present our bodies to serve Him.  Whereas, the Hebrews presented animals as dead sacrifices, we as saints are to present ourselves as living sacrifices.  In doing so, we must allow Christ to live in our lives, Galatians 2:20, KJV 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

“Holy” emphasizes our bodies are to be set apart for God’s use. This certainly involves dedicating our lives to the service of God, seeking His matters first, Matthew 6:33.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

“Acceptable unto God” certainly should be the motivation behind all Christian service.  To please God is the reason all things were created.  God’s people should be acutely aware of the fact their lives are to please Him.  Too often people seen to serve to please themselves and others, but a child of God should please God first, I Thessalonians 2:4, KJV 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

“Which is your reasonable service” declares a believer’s service to God is the sacred duty of every child of God.  Some translate it “spiritual service.”  Those who meet the challenge of Paul will be rendering a spiritual service. God expects nothing less than that from saints, He is pleased with nothing less.

We will continue in the next post.  I’m Joe Roberts and that’s My View From the Right.