Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God… The life of every man should be that of a priest. The earth should be trod, not as a garden, a playground, or a market, but as a temple. The text indicates that true priesthood is characterised by: — I. INDIVIDUALITY. "Bodies" here stand for the whole nature — man himself. In this priesthood — 1. Every man is his own sacrifice. The wealth of the world would not be a substitute for himself. What does this imply? (1) Negatively; not — (a) The loss of personality. Man does not lose himself by consecrating his existence to the Eternal. (b) The loss of free agency. Man does not become the mere tool or machine of Omnipotence. In truth he only secures his highest liberty. (2) Positively; it includes — (a) Yielding to God's love as the inspiration of our being. (b) Adopting His will as the role of our activities. 2. Every man is his own minister. None can offer the sacrifice for him. He must do it freely, devoutly, manfully. II. DIVINITY. It is a vital connection with the Great God. 1. God is the object of it. Men are sacrificing themselves everywhere to pleasure, lucre, fame, influence. There are gods many in England at whose altars men are sacrificing themselves. 2. God is the motive of it. God's "mercies," which are infinite in number and variety, are the inciting and controlling motives. The true priest moves evermore from God to God. 3. God is the approver of it. "Acceptable unto God." He approves it because it is — (1) Right in itself; (2) Blessed to man. III. RATIONALITY. Its reasonableness will be seen if you consider what it really means, viz. — 1. Cherishing the highest gratitude to our greatest Benefactor. Reason tells us that we ought to be thankful for favours generously bestowed upon us. But who has bestowed such favours as God? 2. The highest love to the best of beings. Reason tells that we should only love a being in proportion to his goodness. God is infinitely good, therefore He should be loved with all our hearts, minds, souls. 3. That we should render our entire services to our exclusive proprietor. God owns us; all we have and are belong to Him. If this is not reasonable, what is? In truth religion is the only reasonable life.Conclusion: Such is true priesthood. 1. All other priesthoods are shams, mimicries, and impieties. 2. Christ's priesthood will be of no avail to us unless we become true priests to God ourselves. His priesthood is at once the model and the means of all true human priesthood. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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