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23-Why Give to God?
In Romans Chapter 12, we come to the final section of the letter. Just to recap, in chapters one through eight, Paul thoroughly discussed the doctrine of salvation. He showed us why we need it and how we attain it both positionally and practically. Then in chapters nine through eleven, Paul illustrated God's salvation at work in the people of Israel.
Up to this point, the theme of Romans has been knowing. Know this and know that, as it pertains to God's salvation. Now, the theme of the book shifts to "doing"...in light of what we've learned and now know, we're to do this and do that.
Notice how Paul introduces this change: "I beseech you therefore...present your bodies a living sacrifice." We're told to live sacrificially, which is the prevailing principle that will carry us through the rest of the book.
But before we dive into the specific ways in which we're to live sacrificially, it's important for us to notice the order here. God's Spirit was very deliberate in inspiring Paul to write Romans as he did. You see the same pattern in Paul's other epistles (particularly in Ephesians and Colossians). He begins first with what God has done for us, and then comes the command to do for God.
That has to be the order, our good deeds for God have to come as a response to what He has already done for us. Otherwise, it becomes the very works-oriented system of religiosity that Romans has been warning us about up to this point. God's grace must always come first, because God's grace always is first. True salvation always begins with His grace, not with anything we attempt to do in order to earn or deserve it.
The very structure of the book of Romans cries out its great theme, "Grace saves!"...now let's sacrificially live in light of that.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
In Romans Chapter 12, we come to the final section of the letter.Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
In Romans Chapter 12, we come to the final section of the letter. Just to recap, in chapters one through eight, Paul thoroughly discussed the doctrine of salvation. He showed us why we need it and how we attain it both positionally and practically. Then in chapters nine through eleven, Paul illustrated God's salvation at work in the people of Israel.
Up to this point, the theme of Romans has been knowing. Know this and know that, as it pertains to God's salvation. Now, the theme of the book shifts to "doing"...in light of what we've learned and now know, we're to do this and do that.
Notice how Paul introduces this change: "I beseech you therefore...present your bodies a living sacrifice." We're told to live sacrificially, which is the prevailing principle that will carry us through the rest of the book.
But before we dive into the specific ways in which we're to live sacrificially, it's important for us to notice the order here. God's Spirit was very deliberate in inspiring Paul to write Romans as he did. You see the same pattern in Paul's other epistles (particularly in Ephesians and Colossians). He begins first with what God has done for us, and then comes the command to do for God.
That has to be the order, our good deeds for God have to come as a response to what He has already done for us. Otherwise, it becomes the very works-oriented system of religiosity that Romans has been warning us about up to this point. God's grace must always come first, because God's grace always is first. True salvation always begins with His grace, not with anything we attempt to do in order to earn or deserve it.
The very structure of the book of Romans cries out its great theme, "Grace saves!"...now let's sacrificially live in light of that.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
In Romans Chapter 12, we come to the final section of the letter.Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
Scripture
About this Plan
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1985, has grown to be one of the largest churches in the country, and now has nine regional campuses in Florida in addition to the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. The church has established and now operates dozens of ministries to answer the needs for foster care, addiction recovery, and discipleship training. The church's mission is simply, "make disciples."
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We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale for providing this daily devotional. For more information about the church and other media resources it provides for personal discipleship, please visit www.calvaryftl.org
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