Examining Romans 12:1-2, "Spiritual Formation"

Our text reads as follows: "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Spiritual formation is especially relevant for this passage of Scripture in that it speaks to the Christ follower about intentional change in the inner person to conform to the will of God! The essence of spiritual formation is, "A fundamental change in the Christ follower's character which then brings about a fundamental change in the Christ follower's behavior!" In light of this, allow me to share statements concerning spiritual formation which are drawn from the teaching of this text. My goal is to present accurate, sound, biblical descriptions of what spiritual formation is in light of Paul's teaching! First, spiritual formation is a response to the awesome wonder of the grace and mercy of God. Paul makes very clear in this text that our spiritual life is a response, not an initial action! Spiritual formation is our human response to the grace and mercy of God shown in our salvation. Everything Paul urges of the Christ follower comes from his longing that they respond to the wonderful salvation which God has given them because of His grace and mercy! He said, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God..." There's a cause-and-effect connection between what God has done for the Christ follower and the Christ follower's response. Paul is motivating the Christ follower to respond appropriately with an attitude of reverence, praise, and thanksgiving! This is how the Christ follower is to relate to God! We are the blessed recipients of God's mercy on our behalf! If knowing this doesn't cause you to thank God, you should examine whether you're saved! The mercy of God shown to us is designed to illicit thanksgiving and praise! This is because of what mercy is. Mercy withholds what's deserved! What was deserved was condemnation because of our sin. What was deserved was a verdict of guilty and the penalty that verdict demands! The penalty of being guilty before God is eternal separation from Him in a place called hell! Grace gives what is not deserved! The Christ followers relationship to God through Jesus Christ was not deserved! Any efforts at spiritual formation should flow from a response of thanksgiving and worship for God's mercy and grace already active in our lives. Praise God forevermore! Your move. Be encouraged!