Originally posted: 4/07/2020
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy… (12:1 NIV).
Paul has covered a lot of ground in the preceding eleven chapters. But remembering that chapters and verses are not inspired, and only added for our convenience in the 16th century, we know this chapter is simply a continuation of his very lengthy letter.
And at this point, Paul begins with this thought, “Therefore…” A prompting to recall everything previously discussed. As the saying goes, “whenever you see a therefore in Scripture you have to ask, ‘what is the therefore there for?’”
In one moment, Paul takes his readers back to all that he has so carefully conveyed through the great doctrinal truths of “sin and death, salvation, grace, faith, righteousness, justification, sanctification, redemption, resurrection and glorification,” NIV Study Bible.
And after drawing his readers’ attention back to all that has been presented thus far, Paul directs their attention to one great aspect of God, one incomprehensible trait demonstrated, that if they will but keep this at the forefront of their minds, this will impact every part of their lives… His Mercy.
In View of:
You use “in view of” when you are taking into consideration facts that have just been mentioned or are just about to be mentioned.”Mercy: 3628. οἰκτιρμός oiktirmós; gen. oiktirmoú, masc. noun from oikteírō (3627), to have compassion on. Pity, compassion, mercy…the pity or compassion which one shows for the sufferings of others. It is used in reference to God as the Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3) showing His character and that upon which believers can depend as they make their bodies a living offering to Him (Rom. 12:1; see Heb. 10:28); … Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
“…in view of His mercy.” With these words, Paul urges his readers to take into consideration what they have already learned, and then prepares them to get ready to experience all God will do in the future, when they commit to live In View of His Mercy.
Consider Him, In View of His Mercy
His Mercy Will Transform our Worship.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship, (12:1).
His Mercy Will Transform our Minds.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect, (12:2).
As we commit to live In View of His Mercy that Transforms our Worship and Minds, His Transforming Power is made manifest in every aspect of our lives.
- In View of His Mercy, our Judgment is Transformed through Humility.
- For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith, (12:3).
- In View of His Mercy, our Service is Transformed through Unity.
- For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:… (12:4-6).
- In View of His Mercy, our Love is Transformed through Sincerity.
- Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; (12:9-10).
- In View of His Mercy, our Tribulation is Transformed through Perseverance.
- not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation… (12:11-12).
- In View of His Mercy, our Devotion is Transformed through Prayer.
- …devoted to prayer, (12:12).
- In View of His Mercy, our Hospitality is Transformed through Generosity.
- contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality, (12:13).
- In View of His Mercy, our Peace is Transformed through Selflessness.
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men, (12:14-18).
- In View of His Mercy, our Mercy is Transformed through Obedience.
- Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, (12:19-21).
How do we respond to Him, In View of His Mercy?
Paul urged his readers to live in a constant state of remembrance, to always keep His Mercy In View. This will transform our very lives as we become an offering to Him in worship.
And in His inspired Word, the Lord also urges us to remember, that we too would live In View of His Mercy.
- In View of His Mercy, remember who we were.
- Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2:11-12).
- In View of His Mercy, remember What He gave.
- And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood, (Luke 22:19-20).
- In View of His Mercy, remember Whose we are.
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, (Ephesians 1:3-5).
- In View of His Mercy, remember His Call to a life surrendered in Worship.
- Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship, (12:1).
- In View of His Mercy, remember His Provision against cultural conformity: The Transforming Power of His Holy Word.
- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect, (12:2).
- In View of His Mercy, remember Jesus, our Perfect Example.
- …let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In View of His Mercy, He invites us to remember His Mercy and Grace each and every day. Let’s make sure we accept His invitation!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; (Psalm 103:1-4).