The Christian Response to the "Mercies of God"

Yesterday I addressed the truth that Christian doxology and duty stem from Spirit illumined Christian doctrine. I used Romans 12:1-2 to demonstrate that our spiritual worship (which involves both doxology and duty) is a response to the mercies of God, which are savingly communicated to us in Christ by the Spirit.

In light of these glorious truths, the Christian responds gladly, which is the heart of Romans 12. In fact, yesterday Justin Taylor posted all of the imperatives found in Romans 12. I thought they would be helpful to consider. These commands should be reflected in our lives as we gratefully and worshipfully respond to what God has done "for us" in Christ.

•present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God
•Do not be conformed to this world, but
•be transformed by the renewal of your mind
•he [ought] not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but
•think with sober judgment,
•let us use our gifts that differ according to the grace given to us
•Let love be genuine.
•Abhor what is evil;
•hold fast to what is good.
•Love one another with brotherly affection.
•Outdo one another in showing honor.
•Do not be slothful in zeal,
•be fervent in spirit,
•serve the Lord.
•Rejoice in hope,
•be patient in tribulation,
•be constant in prayer.
•Contribute to the needs of the saints and
•seek to show hospitality.
•Bless those who persecute you;
•do not curse those who persecute you.
•Rejoice with those who rejoice,
•weep with those who weep.
•Live in harmony with one another.
•Do not be haughty, but
•associate with the lowly.
•Never be wise in your own sight.
•Repay no one evil for evil, but
•give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
•live peaceably with all (if possible, so far as it depends on you)
•Never avenge yourselves, but
•leave it to the wrath of God. . .
•if your enemy is hungry, feed him;
•if he is thirsty, give him something to drink
•Do not be overcome by evil, but
•overcome evil with good.