NOV 15

Romans 12:1-2
Memorise Romans 12:1-2
“…Shew me thy faith without thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my works...”

The first part of Romans (chapters 1-11) covers essential doctrines of salvation such as justification, predestination and sanctification. The next section of Romans (chapters 12-16) discusses practical Christian living, such as Christian behavior, service in church and relationships between fellow Christians as well as with our enemies. It is no coincidence that Paul places his exposition on doctrine first as doctrine is important as the basis of practical living. Romans 12:1-2 begins with the word ‘Therefore’, and then goes on to instruct the readers how they should then live in light of all that they had read. He shows how having received the free gift of salvation from God, it is our “reasonable service” to offer our bodies and our lives to God, seeking to do His “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will”. Note that this must always be the order. Doctrine must come first before we know how to live. If we just do good deeds, serve in church and live peaceably with Man as described in Romans but have not understood the gospel and the reason behind why we need to do good works, then we are merely practising a religion of works and trying to earn our own salvation.

On the flipside, doctrine without practical living is also wrong. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14). If you say you have true saving faith yet are living a sinful life with no concern for the people around you, are you truly saved? An authentically converted heart would desire to do God’s will and seek to live a life that He approves of. James is not advocating salvation by works when he says that “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17) but rather, he is proving that evidence of true faith is its works or fruits in a transformed life (James 2:18).

Therefore, we can see that neither doctrine nor practical living is more important than the other but both are inextricably linked. One cannot truly exist without the other. Romans 12:1-2 shows this link very well and it is profitable to reflect on this verse as you examine your own salvation and if your life has proof of your salvation. Have you presented “your [body] a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God”? Are you “not conformed to this world” and “transformed by the renewing of your mind”?

Thought: What evidence can you think of in your life that shows that you have true saving faith?
Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart today.