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Our Spiritual Act of Worship
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Paul makes it abundantly clear: God is faithful. Throughout the book of Romans, Paul has affirmed that we are all in the same boat. No one can claim dibs on any special favors from God because of whom we are or what we claim to do for Him. We all suffer from the life-sucking effects of sin in the world and we are all destined for the same end, death. Unequivocal, it is God’s decision to be faithful to his creation that makes all the difference. His faithfulness is pure gift expressed through mercy. “Oh the depth of riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (11:33). In spite of the disobedience of some and ignorance of others, God continues to be merciful to his creation and to make his faithfulness known.
Up to this point in Romans, Paul has gone to great lengths to proclaim God’s faithfulness expressed through mercy. He then makes a move from theology to worship. “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” (12:1). True theology should always end in worship. In other words, when we recognize the depths of God’s faithfulness and mercy to his creation, the only appropriate response is worship. This kind of worship is not simply the use of our voice singing praises, but includes our whole bodies. “In view of God’s mercy,” we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. For Paul, worship and ethics go together, they cannot be separated.
We cannot make the world right through our own feeble attempts. God is the one who is making the world right and reconciling all things to Him. This is God’s gift to the world; it is God’s gift to us. God has composed the song to which we are now invited to sing. God has written the script to which we are now urged to act out. God has drawn up the play to which we are called to execute. “In view of God’s mercy,” we are urged to live into the reality that God has already created, a “gospled” world. This is our spiritual act of worship.
Written By Ben Langford
Staff Member, Oklahoma Christian University
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Paul makes it abundantly clear: God is faithful. Throughout the book of Romans, Paul has affirmed that we are all in the same boat. No one can claim dibs on any special favors from God because of whom we are or what we claim to do for Him. We all suffer from the life-sucking effects of sin in the world and we are all destined for the same end, death. Unequivocal, it is God’s decision to be faithful to his creation that makes all the difference. His faithfulness is pure gift expressed through mercy. “Oh the depth of riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (11:33). In spite of the disobedience of some and ignorance of others, God continues to be merciful to his creation and to make his faithfulness known.
Up to this point in Romans, Paul has gone to great lengths to proclaim God’s faithfulness expressed through mercy. He then makes a move from theology to worship. “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” (12:1). True theology should always end in worship. In other words, when we recognize the depths of God’s faithfulness and mercy to his creation, the only appropriate response is worship. This kind of worship is not simply the use of our voice singing praises, but includes our whole bodies. “In view of God’s mercy,” we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. For Paul, worship and ethics go together, they cannot be separated.
We cannot make the world right through our own feeble attempts. God is the one who is making the world right and reconciling all things to Him. This is God’s gift to the world; it is God’s gift to us. God has composed the song to which we are now invited to sing. God has written the script to which we are now urged to act out. God has drawn up the play to which we are called to execute. “In view of God’s mercy,” we are urged to live into the reality that God has already created, a “gospled” world. This is our spiritual act of worship.
Written By Ben Langford
Staff Member, Oklahoma Christian University
About this Plan
We invite you to join us in reading through the New Testament. If you dedicate about 25 minutes to this plan every day, you will have completed the entire New Testament in 60 days! May the Lord bless you as you become "Daily Versed" and experience the Lord through His word.
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We would like to thank Oklahoma Christian University for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.oc.edu/youversion
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