A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"In View of God's Mercy"

Why is it that we have such a difficult time selling out to Jesus? Why do we find sacrificing for Him and His cause so arduous? Why do we hesitate to thrust ourselves upon God with reckless abandon? Why is the way of the cross so frightening to us? Why are we so tentative in allowing God to radically transform us according to His will and design? Why is it that Paul must "plead" with us, God's people, to "offer our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God" so that they are no longer "conformed to the pattern of this world but transformed"? (Romans 12:1-2)

Many reasons can be offered to answer these questions. Despite the myriad of reasons, it really is a matter of misunderstanding God's mercy. The word used in Romans 12:1 for "urge" is strong. It can be translated "plead, or implore." And this pleading is done "in view of God's mercy." We are called to total yielding, absolute consecration "in view of God's mercy." Do we have any real understanding of God's mercy? In a day of pride, self-sufficiency, and intelligent prowess can we grasp something as profound, as awesome, as astonishing as God's mercy? As this passage points out, "in view of God's mercy" the most reasonable (or spiritual) act of worship one can do is to present their bodies as living sacrifices. The only real appropriate act in view of God's mercy is total abandonment to Him! Therefore, if we can catch a clear glimpse of God's mercy, then we would joyously abandon ourselves to Him.

Let us remember, beloved, that God owes us nothing! We forsook Him. We exchanged the Divine for the material. In our "enlightenment," we abandoned God for what we make with our minds and hands. We gave ourselves over to lustful indulgences and sold out to desire. (Romans 1) We sinned and deserve death. (Romans 6:23) Despite our "it's not really our fault" syndrome and our "I am the victim" attitude, the reality remains, we have fallen short of the glory of God and our sin condemns us. (Romans 3:23) We deserve God's wrath and death.

Yet, God is for us! (Romans 8:31) In original intention, in redemption, in intercession and in Love, God is for us! (Romans 8:31-39) While in our hopeless and helpless state, Christ came and gave His life willing on our behalf. (Romans 5:8) God extended His mercy towards us. He did not overlook or excuse our sin. He provided for it in full through Christ Jesus. He does not force His mercy and grace upon us. We can resist it and refuse it. But for those in Christ Jesus, "there is no condemnation!" Are we now getting a glimpse of God's mercy? Have we dropped all the pretense and enlightened self-deification so that we can catch just a glimpse of God's mercy? Only when we acknowledge and accept the reality that God owes us nothing and that we deserve His wrath do we begin, just begin, to see and understand His mercy.

Ah, but when we catch that glimpse of God's mercy, grateful hearts overwhelmed by God's love and mercy respond in love by offering their bodies as living sacrifices holy, wholly, and acceptable unto God. There is no fear in abandoning oneself to the One Who loves us so. There is no mistrusting the One Who is for us and uses all things to accomplish His Good in us. The way of the cross becomes the way of glorious life in view of God's mercy. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy of offer your bodies as living sacrifices unto God, no longer conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of your minds."

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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