RENEW YOUR MIND
Going Deep into Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
"Therefore"
Therefore! This is one of my favorite words to find in scripture! As I was taught by my Pastor many years ago, "whenever you see the word 'therefore', go back and find out what the 'therefore' . . . is there for."
So, we go back a chapter to Romans 11, where Paul provides some clarity regarding the rejection of the Nation of Israel, who were under God's Old Testament covenant, or promise made to the Israelite Abraham and his descendants.
The Israelites were (and still are today) God's chosen people. However, because of their unbelief and disobedience, they have been cut off from God's grace. Even further vs. 8 reveals that God Himself has "given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and hears that they should not hear."
Yes, you read that clearly! Because of the Israelites' disobedience, God put them into a state of spiritual comatose so that they could no longer mentally perceive or accept the truth of God! Only a select few of the descendants of Israel, like Paul, according to God's grace, have awakened from their comatose state, eyes opened, and hearing restored to discern Truth.
This may seem like a severe consequence; and by vs. 22, Paul concurs. However, he is keen to link God's severity towards the Israelites, with God's goodness towards the Gentiles.
We have already reviewed that Paul's letter is being written to the believers in Rome. However, backing up to vs. 13, Pauls takes a moment to specifically address those believers, who were once Gentiles, non-Jewish people outside of the lineage of Abraham and the Israelite nation.
He reminds the Gentiles, that Israel's rejection, though severe, allowed opportunity for God goodness with the Gospel of Christ, and salvation now being offered to the Gentiles! Paul goes as far to say that if his evangelism ministry to the Gentiles provokes jealousy amongst the Israelites of his own lineage, then bring it on!
He also gives a stern warning however, that the Gentiles are not to thumb their noses up at the descendants of the Israelites, because they are still part of God's original covenant with Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The same mercy that God has shown to the Gentiles, will also be made available to the Israelites.
Therefore (no pun intended), whatever Paul is about to beseech following these words, it must be remembered, that whether you were a blinded Israelite now able to see, or a lost Gentile, now found and adopted into the family of God, it is all because of God's matchless mercy!
Chapter 11 ends with a fitting praise of the endless wisdom and knowledge of God, He alone being the righteous Judge! "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)
Today's challenge is obvious. Anytime you see a therefore in scripture or any other passage of text, take the time to go back. Find out what the 'therefore' is there for, to provide further clarity of purpose for the words that follow.