“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing and forgiving one another…” Colossians 3:12, 13
In the study of the Scriptures, there is a wonderful protocol that enables us to not only come to a knowledge of the truth, but also, to practically that truth to our lives, appropriating Christ according to that truth. The first element in this protocol is the definition of the terms. We need to know just what words mean. Secondly, there is what is called the “exegesis of the text.” The words, and phrases, are to be examined and studied to understand just what the Divine Author meant when He spoke them through His servants. Essential to this step in particular, though applicable to all of the steps, is an utter dependence upon the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” of Christ. Christ is our teacher, by the Holy Spirit. This is that onction, or anointing, which teaches the believer all things. (1Jn. 2:20,27) Thirdly, there is the application of the truth to the life. There is always a practical application of that which God reveals. And fourthly, there is the “appropriation of the blessing.” This is that specific appropriation of Christ, His Life, nature, character, and power. As Christ is the beginning of the “Way, truth, and the Life,” so He is the ending, or the realization of the blessing. It was Theodore Monod who wrote: “All in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, for the Glory of God; All else is nothing.” But, what of the Depthless riches of Christ, and our knowledge of Him? How are we to know Him, and the riches, and treasure, of His life, “…on earth, as in heaven?”
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, after dealing with the majestic Gospel of Christ, its meaning and application, he comes to the essential subject of the gifts and calling of believers, whether Jew or Gentile. For the purpose of increasing the faith of those who desire to go on, and know Christ, not only living according to the truths of the Gospel, but also, by the power of God, he gives the church a vision. He writes: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (11:33) A little later, he concludes this revelation, by declaring: “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.” (11:36) The unveiling of these truths of God present to the believer, the great motive, and reason for a specific application to his life. This is why Paul continues by writing: “I beseech you, therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service of worship.” (Romans 12:1) The word, “therefore,” communicates to us that there is a specific application of these great truths to the believer’s life. The application is the response of true, acceptable worship. It manifests itself by the deliberate, decisive, offering to God of our bodies as a living sacrifice, no more to live unto ourselves, but unto Christ. It is a thank-offering to God for His mercies towards us in Christ, having miraculously created peace with God in Christ, but also, having put him in living union with Christ by the Spirit. Christ, by His Spirit, with all that He is, has come to dwell in the heart and life of the believer. What the believer does with this body, this temple that God has entrusted to him, is of monumental significance. What would have occurred if Isaiah had not been willing to allow God to cleanse his lips, and then offer himself to God by saying, say, “Here am I, send me?” The “living sacrifice” of the believer is not only an act of thanksgiving to God, but the reasonable, logical, expression of one’s faith and love to Him. This is wondrously possible,”…by the mercies of God,” certainly according to His will.
Dear Father, By Thy mercies, and grace, we offer ourselves, our bodies, thankfully and wholly to Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.