This verse follows a powerful chapter on the unfathomable mercy of God in His sovereign work of salvation and particularly transitions the whole book of Romans to the practical outworking of the gospel in real life.
In this verse the apostle Paul says in light of all that we have received, in light of all that God has done, in light of all the depths of God's mercy in Christ Jesus, this is how we should respond. And what does he say our response should be?
"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice."
If you have truly received this mercy into your life, Paul says, then let it flow out through your words and your actions (your bodies). This is your spiritual worship. This is how we honor and glorify God: we humbly love and serve people.
Notice, this is a sacrifice. It's an intentional positioning of our lives to live this way, to die to self, and to live for God's glory by loving others.
Here's the call of Christmas: in light of all of God's mercies, let us respond to Him by giving His love away each and every day, His love that we have received so freely.
Here's the call of Christmas: in light of all of God's mercies, let us respond to Him by giving His love away each and every day, His love that we have received so freely. Let His mercy and love flow into your life so strongly that they flow out of your life into others.
What opportunities are there at work this week to share this love? How might your spouse or children or neighbor or friend need to experience this love? If Christmas is more than just a story to us, then let's bring it into reality in practical ways this year.
All around us is a hurting world, broken and confused in darkness. But we know the truth that the Light has come, and hope is in Him alone. God, may our words and our actions shine Your light so brightly all around us as we celebrate this season.
