LIVING SACRIFICES Devotion 6 of 24 Here is an impassioned plea – an exhortation that is spiritually logical. It is in the nature of a conclusion to the doctrines that have been affirmed, namely those related to the appropriation of the righteousness of God. This means that the matters unveiled in the previous chapters are, in fact, designed to bring us to this conclusion. Sound exhortations must be based upon the truth of God, not upon human reasoning or raw emotion. When that truth is seen, the heart will be powerfully motivated to yield a response that will bring glory to God. GOD AND ALL THINGS In this particular text, ponder the statement that immediately precedes the exhortation. "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen" (11:36). Faith can take hold of that word, being convinced of both its truth and relevance. When that is done, an immediate and favorable response will take place. Fulfilling the word is thus seen as possible, as well as necessary. CIRCUMSTANCES UNVEILED Also consider the things the Spirit has unveiled to us. Some of Israel were blinded and cast away because of their unbelief (11:20). What is more, we Gentiles will also be cut off if we are guilty of unbelief (11:22). When men cease to theorize about those statements, choosing to embrace them, they will enter into the activity toward which we are now exhorted. GOD'S PREDESTINATION Contemplate the many preceding references to God's foreknowledge, predestination, and election. – Tomorrow:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God . . . " (Romans 12:1a)
THEREFORE
In this regard, the New Covenant differs significantly from the Old Covenant, which was founded upon Law. Under the Old Covenant, the word "beseech" most often is used of men speaking to God. Frequently men pled with God to spare them, preserve them, hear their prayers, and a few times for God to reveal Himself (Ex 33:18; Num 12:13; 14:17,19; 1 Sam 23:11; 2 Sam 24:10; 2 Kgs 19:19; 20:3; 1 Chron 21:8; 2 Chron 6:40; Neh 1:5,8,11; Psa 80:14; 116:4; 118:25; 119:108; Isa 38:3; 64:9; Dan 9:16; Amos 7:2,5; Jonah 1:14; 4:3; Mal 1:9).
Under the First Covenant, "beseech" is rarely used to urge people to walk acceptably with God. Through Moses and Joshua God did urge His people to "choose life" (Deut 30:19), and whom they would serve (Josh 24:15). Once God spoke of the eunuchs who did "choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant" (Isa 56:4). You will search in vain for repeated admonitions of choice under the Law. They simply are not there.
Things are quite different in redemption. A change has been wrought in those who are in Christ Jesus, so that they may now be exhorted to give themselves more fully to the Lord. Fourteen times the Epistles use the words "I beseech thee," or, "I beseech you" (Rom 12:1; 15:30; 16:17; 1 Cor 1:10; 4:16; 16:15; 2 Cor 2:8; 10:2; Gal 4:12; Heb 13:19,22; 1 Pet 2:11; Phile 10; 2 John 5).
In Christ, it is reasonable to urge believers to become active in the will of the Lord. They have received the capacity to do so, and their reconciliation to God demands that they do so.
1. "Whom He did foreknow" (8:29a).
2. "He also did predestinate" (8:29b).
3. "He did predestinate" (8:30).
4. "God's elect" (8:33).
5. "The purpose of God according to election" (9:11).
6. "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy" (9:13).
7. "I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (9:15).
8. "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (9:16).
9. "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that My name might be declared throughout all the earth" (9:17).
10. "Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth" (9:18).
11. "Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" (9:19).
12. "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" (9:21).
13. "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha" (9:29).
14. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace" (11:6).
15. "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day" (11:8).
16. "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes" (11:28).
17. "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (11:29).
18. "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all" (11:32).
19. "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen"
(11:36).
These are unquestionably powerful statements. Some have taken them and formed a rigid theology that has neither heart nor sense. They imagine such words mean those in Christ cannot possible lose their status. Others are convinced human responsibility is totally unreasonable – that God will do what He has determined without any regard whatsoever for those with whom He deals.
This is certainly not the place to deal with such absurdities. It is enough to note the nature of the exhortation before us, and to acknowledge it is given against the backdrop of the above declarations. Among other things, that means Divine foreknowledge, predestination, election, and purpose do not exclude the fact that there are things for which we are responsible. It means that it is not only in order, but it imperative, that we plead with the people of God to engage in such holy activities as God requires.
All of this is in the word "therefore." This means that failing to do what is said is totally unreasonable – it is a form of spiritual insanity. The lack of response to this exhortation reveals a corrupt heart, the presence of unbelief, and imminent danger.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You through Jesus Christ for the reasonableness of Your requirements, and for the way in whichYou have extended Yourself to confirm You will support me in my sincere desire to please You.