Reasonable Service

I never really gave much thought to the connection between Romans chapter 11 and chapter 12.  I’ve always seen chapter 12 as turning a new page and talking about something different.  That’s true but I want to take a minute to think about the connection between the end of chapter 11 and this beginning verse of chapter 12:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service”.  The end of chapter 11 focuses on how the wisdom, knowledge and judgment of God are beyond human understanding. God’s ways are “past finding out”. God’s mind is way beyond our minds. His activity is beyond our full comprehension.  Then we are asked to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, which is described as our reasonable service.  Given God’s incredible nature and attributes, it is only reasonable for us to fall down before Him and offer ourselves for His purposes.  As a “living sacrifice” we have the opportunity to be totally available to Him for His purposes.  We offer ourselves, our agendas, our finances, our future, etc… for His activity. Since God is so far beyond us, this only makes sense.  When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior our lives are no longer our own, so being a servant, a living sacrifice, makes sense.  And we need not fear this submission because God is in control.  I hope that you see your life as a living sacrifice…holy and acceptable to God.  It’s only reasonable that you serve Him.