Proper 16: Epistle, Romans 11:33-12:8                           

Romans 11:33-12:8

We begin our epistle reading “at the end.” Of sorts. Paul, for eleven chapters has been spelling out the doctrine of the gospel and its direct application to His people, the old Israel and the new. And at chapter eleven’s conclusion he bursts forth with a doxology that reveals a heart that simply can no longer “keep it in.” Read it in 11:33-36.

Then Paul makes an appeal to his readers/hearers. “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers … (now catch these next words) by the mercies of God” (12:1). Verse 3 begins, “For by the grace given to me I say to you …”. And then on goes Paul to exhort the Roman Christians to live out their vocations in God-pleasing fashion.

But in those two brief statements above we have the ground for every endeavor we have in the Kingdom. The mercies of God and the grace given by God undergird all our efforts so that none of what we do has its origin in us. Now, it is a wonderfully blessed thing to be used by our Lord in service to our neighbor. And the service doesn’t have to shake the world, but just touch the heart of the recipient. For that we should always pray. But underneath are God’s mercy and grace. I can serve, and continue to serve in this dark world only because the strength, motivation, and desire come from Someone else.

Be cautious dear reader to remember that whenever we are given a task for our Lord (how blessed we are) that it is not primarily our task but His. And He, as always, gives us all we need.