Romans 12:1 (ESV) … “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
The end of all true religion is, to bring men to God. From him they have fallen, and to him must they be restored. Whatever instructions have not this object in view, are of small value.
The Gospel itself would be an empty speculation, if it did not teach us to hope for some practical effects. There are some who would separate principle from practice: but not so the Apostle Paul: he expected not fruit indeed without a root; nor hoped to raise an edifice, without laying a foundation: but, when his foundation was firmly laid, he deferred not to build upon it.
In all the preceding part of this epistle he has shown how sinners are to find acceptance with God; and has proved the sovereignty of God in the disposal of his blessings. But, having finished his argument, he does not leave us there; he goes on to show the practical effects of his principles; and urges us, from the consideration of all God’s mercies, to devote ourselves unreservedly to his service.[i]
Finally, let us acknowledge that the greater our comprehension of what God has done for us, the greater our commitment should be. Practically applied, Christ’s gift, meditated on, accepted, taken to heart, is a magnet drawing us to deepest commitment unto Christ. Immense vision will bring immense commitment. [ii] For example, that is what Isaac Watts meant when he wrote: Love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all.
Does God have your all? Have you given God full surrender?
[i] Simeon, C. (1833). Horae Homileticae: Romans (Vol. 15, p. 467). London: Holdsworth and Ball.
[ii] Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven (pp. 212–213). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
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