The intersection of several different themes and topics between Romans 11 and 12 is sometimes overlooked in our hurry to get to a certain thought or idea we want to bring out. The marvelous benediction at the end of Romans 11 stands as the capstone of the first eleven chapters, dealing with God's justification of sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. It also stands as a summary of chapters 9-11, dealing with God's sovereign election in salvation, man's responsibility before God, and God's future dealing with national Israel. In that context, the words of Romans 11:33-36 ring out with rich significance.Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
"For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.
In light of God's gracious salvation and sovereign election, the all-wise ways of God are completely beyond us. We try and fail to wrap our human minds around God's sovereignty. We struggle to correlate the truths of God's justice and sovereignty with man's responsibility. We find ourselves completely inadequate to comprehend an infinite God.
The entire universe was created by God. He spoke into existence everything around us. He maintains and preserves every detail of his creation, upholding all things by the word of his power (Heb 1:3). In him all things hold together (Col 1:17). The purpose of all things is his own glory— that is why they were created (Rev 4:11).
This universe, which so manifestly declares God's power and "Godness" (Rom 1:20), is a testimony to his infinite wisdom and power. And his glorious salvation, also displaying his wisdom and power, boggles the human mind. But to which one of us has God ever come seeking advice? To which one of us is God indebted? Are we not simply creatures, beholding with awe the working of our Creator? To him be the glory!
Then, close on the heels of this outburst of awestruck praise, we find this plea: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Rom 12:1). In light of God's abundant and gracious mercy to us, guilty sinners, our only reasonable course of action is to give our entire lives to God. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we do offer this spiritual sacrifice. The Old Testament burnt offering, which completely burned up the sacrifice, symbolized complete devotion to God. The New Testament believer's response to God's salvation is to offer himself as a complete and total sacrifice before God.
This is not emotional outburst at a campfire service; this is the carefully reasoned and understood (Romans 1-11) response to God's outpouring of mercy. This is a daily commitment to obey the God who has justified guilty sinners (Rom 1-3) by faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 4), destined us for glorification (Rom 5), freed us from the bondage of sin (Rom 6) and the condemnation of the Law (Rom 7) so we could please God (Rom 8). He graciously and sovereignly chose us (Rom 9), instead of passing us over to remain in unbelief, which would have been completely just for him to do (Rom 10-11). In light of God's abundant mercies, our only option is to present our lives to God in obedience.
Comments