I have a favorite chapter of Scripture. It is familiar territory that is both comforting and challenging. I visit it often – like a beloved garden. It is Romans 12 and it begins: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” [NLT]
Once I hit that opening verse in Chapter 12, I slow down and begin to savor every word, every thought. This is the chapter of living sacrifice. But before we can present our bodies as living sacrifices, something else is needed.
Five beautiful words in this first verse sets the stage for all that will come after, “in view of God’s mercy.”
God’s mercy is what makes everything happen in Romans 12. It is what brings life and warmth to the soul. Without God’s mercy, everything that comes after in the chapter is utterly impossible.
We cannot live Romans 12 apart from God’s mercy. We do not have even have LIFE apart from God’s mercy!
I will be meandering in and out Romans 12 over the next few weeks, alongside other things. It’s a good place to stay spiritually warm while we are waiting for winter to slide into the rear view.