::Sunday, March 08, 2009::
:: Sharing from Romans 12:1-3 ::
Apostle Paul started the epistle with a very intimate tone. In verse 1, we have:
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.
The word "beseech" has a very condescending application. In Greek, it is "ParakalO" and in modern english as "Plead". The greek word, ParakalO, refers to a call, plead, or beg made by someone who has condescended himself to the recipient's stand or position. The pleader made all effort to be at the side of the recipient.
Throughout the New Testament, we can understand that Paul was definitely a very highly regarded Apostle of Christ. Even with the combined reputations and statures of all reputable men in this world cannot match the person who was personally commissioned by God face to face. Yet, a highly regarded man made all effort to be alongside with his recipients. Paul wasn't and isn't God. Nevertheless, he demonstrated the nature and attitude of a godly leader.
Following it, we have the word "brethren". This word, in Greek, means not just nominal brothers but very intimate brothers. It speaks of a very close relationship between mankind. At this point, Paul has condescended himself to be alongside with his recipients, begged them with all efforts and affectionately demonstrated his brotherly love for them.
Not only this, but also the word "present". In Greek, it's in aorist active tense. It speaks of an event that has no frequency. It resembles a line made up of dots. At one point in time, it happened. And at another point in time, it stopped. And another point in time, it happened again. Paul was telling them that he understood the difficulty in presenting themselves as a living sacrifice for God. It's like a dotted line. At some point in time, we fervently presented our lives to God. And at other point in time, we stopped and our love waxed cold. In this particular sentence, Paul was getting rather personal with them. He was telling them, "I know your difficulties and, therefore, I sincerely would want to beg you.."
Three words to describe Romans 12:1: Condescending, Passionate, Personal. And these are the virtues that a godly leader should have in their service for God.
After establishing the foundational approach of Romans 12, we can proceed to the next few verses.
With all effort and fervency, Paul directly begged the people in Rome:
1. Present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, which was their reasonable service
2. Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of their mind
3. Not to think themselves more highly as they ought to do but to think soberly according to the measure of faith that God has dealt with them.
Today, are we aware that our love for Christ is waxing cold? Paul wanted to earnestly plead with them because he understood the struggles of every Christian. If Paul has such a passion and understanding, what more for God who perfectly, unconditionally and unselfishly love us?
We should really appreciate the love of God for us. And in love, we always receive our beloved one's gift in a way to show our appreciation. Are we receiving what God has for us out of His abundant love?
Let me rephrase Romans 12:1 for better understanding:
"I've condescended myself to your state and would like to earnestly beg you, my most intimate brothers and sisters in Christ, by the mercies of God, that you continue to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And do not shape yourself like how the world shape themselves, but I do know that you were once shaped like the world, therefore I'm pleading with you that you'll transform yourselves from that ungodly shape to a godly one by the renewing of your mind with understanding, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
May God help us to love Him more each moment and day. Just like the aorist tense used for the word "present", we have to acknowledge that our spiritual lives are like a dotted line. And knowing this, Paul pleads with you to continue striving to present your body which is your reasonable service unto God.
Truly a condescending, passionate and personal message from Paul penned by God...
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Alan has worked out the oath for us (can be found below this entry). This article is meant to help us understand the purpose and tone of the oath. Just like how Paul pleaded with the people in Rome, I believe our leaders are pleading us also.. hor? :) If the intensity of this message, Romans 12:1-3, is seen as condescending, passionate and personal, I sincerely hope that we'll be serious about it. If the president of our nation, today, pleads with you for something, nothing against God's Word, will you take it seriously? And what more when it's God and His Word?! On a personal basis, consider and take it seriously. =) Even if you don't sign on the dotted line, your own declaration to God is sufficient enough. And if by means of such oath it brings you to embrace more of this plead, it'll be very wonderful. I'm sure Paul will be joyfully rolling in his coffin! (Last sentence meant to be a joke).. God bless and continue to keep strong in our Lord!
>>shared by+my life - God = broken pencil+
on 00:29.
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