ROMANS 12:1-2 – THE VOCATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS –
DEDICATION
- It only takes one buggy or tractor to cause a traffic jam.
- It only takes one ice cream cone to make me smile.
- It only takes one hug from Dottie to make me feel good.
- It only takes one encouraging word to lift someone’s spirits.
- It only takes one good word of advice to turn our lives around.
- It only takes one unkind word to ruin a person’s day.
- It only takes one unkind deed to change the course of a person’s life.
- It only takes one sin to make us sinners.
- It only takes one unrighteous act to make us unrighteous.
One of the great themes of the Book of Romans is God’s Righteousness, and how we, as unrighteous sinners, can become righteous in God’s eyes. Romans 1:16-17
When we say God is righteous, we mean God is always right. He has the right thoughts, the right actions, the right motives. As God, He is without sin.
As Christians, it is our vocation or job to live righteous lives because we appreciate what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us.
If God expects you to do something, he will show you how to do it. From Romans 12 on to the end of the Book of Romans, Paul gives us practical instructions on how to live righteously. Romans 12 is a great place to start in learning how to fulfill our vocation or do our job of living righteously every day. There is so much material here I have broken this chapter down into three sections and will share 3 messages on this.
Dedication – Romans 12:1-2
Discernment – Romans 12:3-8
Deployment – Romans 12:9-21
I beseech you – Means “urge” or “exhort”.
Therefore, – Romans 1-11, especially Romans 11:33-36.
brethren, – Every born-again Christian is included. John 1:12-13
by the mercies of God, – Many are itemized in Romans 1-11. Lamentations 3:22-23, John 3:16
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice – This a voluntary, one time decision to be lived out day by day. Luke 9:23-24, Galatians 2:20
holy, acceptable to God, – Set apart for, and pleasing God.
which is your reasonable service. – This is the least we can do. Some translations say, “Spiritual Worship”. First act of obedience is believer’s baptism. How can you say you are committed if you haven’t made the first commitment called for by the Lord Jesus? Matthew 28:19-20
2 And do not be conformed to this world – 1 John 2:15-17
but be transformed – Metamorphosis – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:17
by the renewing of your mind, – Colossians 3:16, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:11, 18
that you may prove – Experience it for yourself!
what is that good – Nahum 1:7
and acceptable – His will is acceptable to us as we yield to Him.
and perfect will of God. – Jeremiah 29:11
I personally think of this commitment as a vow, or a promise. I have found when I promise God something, He expects me to follow through. Deuteronomy 23:21-23
