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Romans 12: A Living Sacrifice
Romans · Doctrinal study

Romans 12: A Living Sacrifice

How the mercies of God turn into a whole life given back to Him, in the church and before the world

Theologica Editorial19 min read
Introduction

Therefore

Romans 11 ends in a song. After eleven chapters on sin, grace, the Spirit, and God's faithfulness to Israel, Paul runs out of argument and breaks into worship: For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (Romans 11:36). The very next word is therefore. Everything God has done now becomes the reason for everything we do.

This is the turn into the last part of the letter, Living It (Romans 12 to 16). Paul has not changed the subject. He has reached the point of it. And the order matters. He does not say, live this way so that God will show you mercy. He says, God has shown you mercy, so live this way. Grace comes first, and obedience is the answer to it.

By the mercies of God gathers up the whole letter. Chapter 11 closed on that very note: Gentiles who have now obtained mercy, and a God who might have mercy upon all (Romans 11:30–32). The wrath of chapter 1, the propitiation of chapter 3, the peace of chapter 5, the freedom of chapter 6, the no condemnation of chapter 8 (Romans 8:1): all of it is mercy. Paul asks nothing of you until he has shown you that.

  • Your whole self to God (Romans 12:1–2). A living sacrifice, a renewed mind, and the will of God.
  • Your place in the body (Romans 12:3–8). Sober thinking, one body, and gifts differing.
  • Your love in the church (Romans 12:9–16). Love without hypocrisy, worked out in a string of short commands.
  • Your answer to evil (Romans 12:17–21). No revenge, God's justice, and good that overcomes.
The Key Question

God has shown you mercy enough to fill eleven chapters. What are you still holding back from Him?

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Further reading

For Deeper Study

  • Spiritual Gifts: What They Are and Why They MatterAmazon Thomas R. SchreinerA Reformed Baptist New Testament scholar's readable study of the gifts (2018). Once a continuationist, he argues that prophecy and tongues have ceased. We differ with him on election.
  • The Epistle to the RomansAmazon Douglas J. MooA careful evangelical commentary in the New International Commentary series. Moo leans Reformed, and we differ with his reading of Romans 9.
  • Lectures on the Epistle to the RomansAmazon H. A. IronsidePlain, devotional lectures by a dispensational Bible teacher and longtime pastor of Moody Church.
  • Decision Making and the Will of GodAmazon Garry Friesen with J. Robin MaxsonA case that God guides through His revealed will and wisdom, not a hidden plan to decode. Friesen taught at Multnomah in a dispensational setting. He presses the argument further than some will, so read it with discernment.
  • Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.

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Romans

Romans is Paul's fullest explanation of the Gospel: every person is guilty, God declares believing sinners righteous through Christ's blood, the Spirit gives power for a new life, God keeps His promises to Israel, and the saved live as worshiping, serving people.

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