I had an interesting two-part conversation with a young man last week. First, he told me how much God had blessed him and his family the past few years. “Tears come to my eyes nearly every time I think about what God has done, because I know I don’t deserve anything.”
The second part of the conversation seemed a perfectly natural conclusion: “I just want to live for Him. I don’t want to be consumed with pleasing men; I just want to be faithful to the One who is so faithful to us.” If the character and love of God are in the forefront of our thinking, the result is a grateful heart.
In a section of his letter to the Romans, Paul explained the position of his people, the Jews. As Jesus was rejected, the chosen people of God experienced a hardening of the heart. Paul was confident that God would fulfill his destiny for the Jews, but full of God’s Spirit, Paul grieved for his people.
But while the Jews refused the gospel, a door was opened for the Gentiles. “Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.” (Romans 11:30-31)
Paul seemed overwhelmed by the mercy of God. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Paul could not help but praise God (see Romans 11:33-36). When we see, we praise. When God’s truth is in view, we are changed. “Lord, give us ‘in view’ thinking.”
- In view of how much God has forgiven me, I will forgive others.
- In view of God’s mercy, I will show mercy.
- In view of God’s love, I will love my neighbor as myself.
- In view of the fact that God rescued me from this world, I will not conform to it.
- In view of God’s provision, I will be content and share with others.
- In view of the fact that Jesus washed feet and served others, I will do the same.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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