Pursuing Lives of Worship and Service in Community

When the letters were written by the apostles to the various churches of the day, they didn’t contain the headings, chapter breaks, and verse breaks that are found in the modern day bible. Often times, the flow of these letters can build to a climactic point the author was attempting to make. The book of Romans is one of these letters and a verse in chapter 12 has its foundation made in the previous 11 chapters. Before we look at the verse in chapter 12, let’s take a walk through Romans to see the foundation Paul is laying in order to give a command to the followers of Christ.

Paul begins in chapters 1 through 3 speaking of the wrath of God that is and will be poured out on unrighteousness. He explains that each human being has the law of God “written on their hearts” v2:15. That all men “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” v3:23. The letter turns to the work of Christ, that Christ “died for the ungodly” v5:6. That “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” v5:8. The end of chapter 5 makes the connection between our being born in the likeness of Adam, a sinner, and Christians having “God’s abundant provision of grace” and “life through the one man, Jesus Christ” v5:17. The Old Testament law, in fact, has its purpose and fulfillment in Christ: “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” v5:20. Chapter 6 explains that we were once “slaves to sin” v6:17, but now Christ has “set us free from sin” v6:22 and we have become “slaves to God” v6:22. In this new life as a slave to God, Paul realizes that even he finds that “when (he) wants to do good, evil is right there with (him)” v 7:21. He asks “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!” v7:24-25. Paul continues his glorious explanation of the gospel with writing that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” v8:1, that we have “received the Spirit of son ship” v8:15, that “glory will be revealed in us” v8:18, that “God works for the good of those who love Him” v8:28, that “we are more than conquerors through him” v8:37, and nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” v8:39. Chapters 9-11 then tell the amazing story of God’s plan for humanity, focusing on the sovereign Lord who works all things according to his purpose. The entire 11 chapters end with an amazing summary of the glory of God:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him
are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

The letter could have ended there being an amazing telling of the true God of the universe, who is working out all history according to his plan of redemption. But we know this letter did not end here. The 11 chapters were written as a foundation for what comes next:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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)

The deep and powerful foundation of God himself now becomes the grounds for the response of God’s people to Him. In view of God’s mercy that was held high in the previous eleven chapters, a response of whole hearted worship is commanded by Paul. Because our God has created all things, is working in all things, and pours grace into our lives, it is a correct response to live a life of sacrifice to Him. This a high calling and a demanding command. What should this look like practically?

As a start, we can say assuredly the Christian life does not merely consist of attending a weekly worship service or being casually involved in religious things. It should be the aim of every Christian to live every aspect of their life as a follower of Christ. From marriage, to fatherhood, to being in the workplace, every sphere of our life should find its direction and meaning in the lens of Paul’s words. What does it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice as I raise my children? What does it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice as a neighbor? What does it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice in the workplace? This is why we use the word pursuing. We must be active in pursuing a life of worship to the Lord in all things. It is our hope that we would grow more and more into a community of believers that lives with this focus as a response to what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. Would you join us in pursuing lives of worship and service to the Lord?