205. ROM 12:1. SELF-CONSECRATION
Rom_12:1. Self-Consecration
"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."’97Rom_12:1.
The body of man has been highly extolled and dignified by God. It was so by the beauty with which it was adorned in its creation. It is so in its wonderful structure. and the power with which it is invested He hath also dignified it especially, by the honor conferred in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed Redeemer assumed, and lived, and died, arose, and ascended to heaven, in a body like our own. At the resurrection the body will be clothed with immortal vigor, and be transformed into the likeness of Christ’s glorious body, and shine forth in the kingdom of our Father forever and ever. We need not wonder, therefore, that God requires the consecration of the body to himself. It is his by creation, by the cares of his benignant providence, and by the redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound, therefore, to glorify him with both body and soul, which are his. It is probable that by body, in the text, the apostle more especially means the whole entire man, as the entire animals were offered in sacrifice to which he obviously refers.
Let us consider, then,
I. The Course recommended
II. The Motives suggested.
I. The Course recommended’97"present your bodies a living sacrifice," &c.
The Lord demands,
1. The body.
Including the whole man. Both the material and spiritual natures we possess. The eye, the ear, the tongue, the hands, the feet, are all to be hallowed to his service. All the faculties of the soul, too are to be devoted to him. Understanding to know; judgment to approve; will to choose; conscience to admonish; and the affections to be supremely placed upon him. God requires the body as,
2. A sacrifice
Ancient victims for sacrifice were first taken from their flocks, and then laid upon the altar of the Lord. He calls upon us to come out of the world, and to be separate. And also to be bound and consecrated to his service forever. As the life of the sacrifice was yielded, so God re quires that we should live entirely to him, and be dead to the world. God requires that this sacrifice,
3. Should be living.
"A living sacrifice." Originally God would not have the carcasses of beasts offered that had previously died. They must be brought alive, and slain expressly for the purpose. So God requires that we should yield ourselves in life to him. The dead cannot repent, or believe, or serve him. This sacrifice must also,
4. Be holy.
That is, a sacrifice without blemish or defect. God requires that we devote our hearts wholly to love and serve him. That we be his entirely and unreservedly, and bring forth the fruits of holiness to the honor and glory of his name. This sacrifice must,
5. Be acceptable unto God.
Now we can only be acceptable to God when we come to him in the way he has prescribed in his own word, through the medium he hath appointed, even the Lord Jesus Christ, and with the dispositions he requires, even faith and sincerity of heart God demands that all this,
6. Be the voluntary act of the soul.
Hence we are to "present," that is, freely to give ourselves to the Lord. This surrender of ourselves must be the cheerful and hearty act of our own minds. The affections must be fixed upon him, and they will deliberately choose him. Let us notice,
II. The Motives suggested.
These are two, "The mercies of God," and the "reasonableness of the service." The first motive urged is,
1. The mercies of God.
Does not appeal to judgments, or threatenings, but to mercies. And the mercies of God are numerous and diversified. Temporal mercies, as life and health; bounties of providence; preservation. Spiritual mercies; God’s great unspeakable gift,’97the mercy promised to the fathers. The written word,’97the gospel;’97the Holy Spirit,’97the ordinances’97and precious promises, with all the unspeakable benefits and blessings of divine grace. It is urged, also,
2. Because it is a reasonable service.
True religion accords with the highest reason. Reverence to a parent, obedience to a master, and subjection to a monarch, is highly reasonable. God is the best of parents, our heavenly master, and our gracious King. Is it not reasonable that the soul should be preferred to the body, heaven to earth, and eternity to time? There is nothing in religion which is unreasonable. Repentance is not; faith is not; prayer is not; obedience is not. Even reproach and suffering are not, with the prospect of an eternal reward.
Application
The apostles beseeched that they would thus present themselves to God.
Christian ministers should keep this model before them. And beseech men to make it a matter of solemn consideration, earnest attention, and immediate practical regard.
Men may be beseeched, by the worth of the soul; the value of salvation; the shortness of time; and the joys of eternity.
All men should be beseeched. Beseeched now; and beseeched to give themselves wholly to God, which is their reasonable service.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS