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#885. In view of God’s mercy - Romans 12:1-2 (28/8/23)

Writer's picture: Matt BeaneyMatt Beaney

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily devotional. This week, we continue with our summer series. Our message on Sunday from Romans 12:1-2 inspires our devotions this week. I hope you find this helpful.

‘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. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ (Romans 12:1-2)

Lesson - Viewing God’s mercy in the cross is the key to living the successful Christian life, which is the imitation of God’s mercy.


Here in Romans 12, Paul turns to practical application. He has spent 11 chapters teaching us about the gospel and now he begins to apply what it means to live in light of the gospel; Jesus’ death for us, for our justification and new life will lead to a new way of life.


We become a Christian by the mercy of God and we live the Christian life in meditation on and in imitation of the mercy of God. In God’s mercy, we who are sinners and under God’s wrath for sin, now have Jesus’ righteousness gifted to us and we have the hope of being in glory with God. This is how God has treated us and this is how we are to endeavour to treat others. In order to live this life of love its vital that we remain saturated with a great vision of God’s mercy.


How can we view God’s mercy?

There are many ways that one can practically reflect on the mercy of God toward us. Most importantly is to read the Bible - particularly sections, like Romans 1 to 11 that teach us about the gospel of grace.


Another very important way to set our hearts on God’s mercy is through Communion. When we take bread and wine together, we are setting our minds and the Holy Spirit is present to help us to reset our hearts on the gospel. Tim Keller writes of the wonderful effect of being gospel-centred:

‘To the degree you grasp what Jesus did for you, and rest in the salvation he bought for you, to that degree this pattern of substitutionary sacrifice and love will be reproduced in your relationships. And you will become the kind of person the world desperately needs.’ (Tim Keller, The Prodigal Prophet, Page 156)

Response

Viewing God’s mercy in the cross is the key to living the successful Christian life, which is the imitation of God’s mercy.

Keeping our eyes on the cross and the gospel transform our lives. There is power in the truth to sanctify us.

What does our mind view most clearly? Is it God’s mercy toward us in Christ or are our minds on other things? Are we allowing God’s mercy toward us in Christ to fill us with assurance and gratitude and a devotion to pleasing Him?

How will you reflect on the gospel each day?

A vital and God-given way is to pray and worship out of the sections of the Bible that speak on God’s grace to us. For example, you could spend some time reflecting and praying out of Ephesians 1:3-8:

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.’ (Ephesians 1:3-8)

Here is a wonderful song that you might like to use in order to reflect on God's mercy:


 

COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY


Until September I'll not be producing a group study. However, if you meet with your group why not simply use one of the devotionals as a basis for your discussion together?








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