Yesterday I was reminded on one of my favorite verses. One that encourages us to action and to doing something with the gift of salvation we have been given. It’s Romans 12 that starts out ‘In light of his mercy’
I tell the teenagers I teach all the time that they can’t save themselves. No matter what they do, they can’t do more than what Christ already did for them. However, there’s still an expectation of behavior and action. That action is not a not an ‘in order to’ proactive action, but a ‘because of’ reactive action. One that prompts us to realize that with what we have been given, why would we not give it all back?
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)