ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Falaite Novema 26, 2021

 ‘i he funga ‘o e ngaahi fai manava‘ofa ‘a e ‘Otua

by the mercies of God

Loma 12 (Romans 12) 

(v. 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.

 (v. 1-2) KO ia, ‘oku ou enginaki atu, kāinga, ‘i he funga ‘o e ngaahi fai manava‘ofa ‘a e ‘Otua, ke mou ‘atu ‘a e ngaahi sino ‘omoutolu ko e feilaulau, ke mo‘ui, ke tapu ki he ‘Otua, ke fakahōifua kiate ia–ko e fakaloto ē ‘o ho‘omou fai e lotu. Pea ke ‘oua na‘a mou tuku ke fakaangatatau kimoutolu ki he maama ko eni; kae tuku ke fai ai pē homou liliu, he fakafo‘ou ‘o homou ‘atamai, ke mou sivi ‘o ‘ilo pe ko e hā ‘a e finangalo ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘a e me‘a ‘oku lelei, ‘a e me‘a te ne hōifua ai, ‘a e me‘a ‘oku haohaoa.

 

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

 The word "therefore" links all that is now to be said with everything that has gone before. Because of the grace of God, the believer is called to certain attitudes and actions. The very first of these is personal abandonment to God.

 In what sense is it possible to present the body to God? The true ideal is to use it in all its powers according to the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The spirit is evidently God's. The body, therefore, is presented to God. The mind is thus renewed according to the will of God.

 Having declared the true attitude of the Christian life to be sacrifice to the will of God, the apostle now proceeds to show how that sacrifice will be expressed. All of chapters 12 and 13 is really occupied with this subject. Chapter 12 shows the evidence manifested in personal life, and chapter 13 as regards the world.

The first positive proof of abandonment to the will of God is humility. Here, of course, it is spiritual humility. There is always danger that one who has solemnly dedicated everything to God will on that very account become puffed up, and there is no pride more objectionable than spiritual pride.

 Humility is manifest in using a gift to fulfil the function of the body rather than to glorify self. Wherever such humility exists genuine love necessarily follows. It is valuable to notice carefully the relation between these personal and relative injunctions concerning love; the first reveals the mind of love; the second, shows the method of love.

 Such self-emptied, love-centered devotion to the will of God will alone make possible obedience to what follows.

 

David Guzik :: Study Guide for Romans 12

 I beseech you: This reminds us that Paul appeals to our will. God calls us to make a choice about the way that we live for Him.

 Therefore brethren: It is Paul’s pattern to begin a letter with a strong doctrinal section and follow with exhortations to Christian living. Paul begs Christians to live a certain way in light of what God did for them.

 “When he uses this pattern Paul is saying that the Christian life is dependent on the great Christian doctrines.” (Morris)

 By the mercies of God reminds us that we do this because of the mercy shown to us by God (described well in Romans 1-11), and that we are only able to offer ourselves to God as He works His mercy in us. God commanded us to do this, and He makes it possible for us to do it.

 “Whereas the heathen are prone to sacrifice in order to obtain mercy, biblical faith teaches that the divine mercy provides the basis of sacrifice as the fitting response.” (Harrison)

 Think of all the mercies of God Paul has explained to us thus far:

 · Justification from the guilt and penalty of sin

· Adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ

· Placed under grace, not law

· Giving the Holy Spirit to live within

· Promise of help in all affliction

· Assurance of a standing in God’s election

· Confidence of coming glory

· Confidence of no separation from the love of God

· Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness

 In light of all this mercy – past, present, and future – Paul begs us to present your bodies a living sacrifice. “We must believe that these Divine mercies have persuasive powers over our wills.” (Newell)