Reasonable Worship

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1 (NASB)

I have long considered this to be my life verse. I may not think about it often in that context, but whenever I return to this verse, I find it to be an appropriate challenge and a valid expression of my heart's desire. The KJV translates the final words of the verse as "reasonable service." As I look at Strong's definitions of the original words, it seems there are two ideas; each of the translations highlights one of them. A Christian's service to God is, as the KJV highlights, reasonable; it is logical, and it makes sense. The NASB maximizes the other concept, which is the spiritual side of the service; rather than simply work that is done for God, it is an act of worship.

The conclusion is that giving one's life in a continuous act of worship to God is a reasonable response to the mercies of God. It is good and right and reasonable for a Christian to throw his whole life toward God in answer to all that God has done for him. While this New Testament verse is very familiar, the same concept is presented in the Old Testament. In Psalm 116:1-11, the psalmist describes the mercies of God, primarily expressed through answered prayer and rescue. He then asks this question in verse 12:

"What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?"

This is a logical question that ought to surface quite naturally when one considers the merciful benefits that God has worked for him. The remainder of the psalm is not necessarily designed as a checklist of things to do; nevertheless, it does mention a number of worshipful forms that reasonable service might take.

1. Prayer: The psalmist says that he will call on the name of the Lord. "I shall . . . call upon the name of the LORD" (vs. 13&17).

2. Public service: The psalmist determines to pay his vows to the Lord, and he specifically desires to do that in the presence of all God's people. "I shall pay my vows to the LORD, oh may it be in the presence of all His people" (vs. 14&18).

3. Life of godliness: The psalmist desires his entire life to be pleasing to God so that his life is summarized as godly and his death is precious to God. "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones" (v. 15).

4. Life of service: The psalmist declares himself to be a servant willing to remain voluntarily in servitude to God. "O LORD, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds" (v. 16)

5. Thanksgiving: The psalmist commits to expressing his thanks to God, even when that expression is a sacrifice. "To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving" (v. 17).

6. Praise: The psalmist asserts the importance of pronouncing praise to God. "In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!" (v. 19).

What does reasonable service to God look like? How can a Christian express the giving of his body as a living and holy sacrifice? This psalm gives some great illustrations of the "spiritual service of worship." A Christian who endeavors to do these six things is one who shows evidence that his life is not his own, but rather has been given to serve and exalt His Savior and God. These are the reasonable actions and characteristics that God desires from His children.