In our trek through the first eleven chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul has revealed the foundations required for excellent, victorious Christian living. Now as we continue into chapter twelve, the Spirit of God is now revealing to us how we ought to respond to the magnanimous mercies God has displayed toward every believer, and even the lost! Listen as our Pastor Teacher Landis Fisher shows us just where we must begin in a message which he has titled: “Right Response to Mercy”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 9:23 – 26 (KJV)
Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Jer 9:25 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
Jer 9:26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1 – 3 (KJV)
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) Considering all that God has done to redeem all who trust in His provision of Jesus His Son, the way we should live our lives should reflect a perpetual flowing of gratitude that can be seen in the everyday life of the believer.
2) Since God has generously provided His Son, by the way of the total sacrifice of Himself , so that there is no longer any further requirement for any more ‘physical death’ for the payment of our sins, Paul pleads with each believer, to practice the worship of God through the presentation of our bodies in holiness, which is the logical response to such overwhelming GRACE!
3) Knowing the excessive mercy of God, and the complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we must train ourselves to walk in humility toward all people, being realistic and sympathetic toward everyone for whom Christ has died.
