Commentary on "The Election of Grace"

MARK MARTIN

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, September 11, 2010 - Introduction

 

Overview

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” KJV

Throughout these lessons there is a tone of doing in order to be pleasing to God, rather than doing because we are already accepted by God.

 

Observations

The lessons have a sense of gracelessness; much of its instruction is true, but its lifeless affirmations and exhortations are uttered without the hope of salvation or without the help of the Holy Spirit being emphasized.

Motivation is one of the keys to living the Christian life.  How many people do you know that have “thrown in the towel”, so to speak, because they have not had complete assurance of their salvation?  Those who have not experienced God’s grace cannot live a gracious life.

Today’s lesson begins by neglecting to quote the first verse of chapter twelve which gives the motivation for non-conformation to the world:

Romans 12:1: “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.” KJV

Paul exhorts the Roman Christians to live for the Lord because they are the recipients of God’s mercies, and he exhorts that in view of all that He has done for them it is reasonable to offer their lives for His service.

It is clear in the Scripture that the standard of obedience is high, yet we are serving because we are saved and not because we hope to be saved.  We are not looking at the standard of the perfect life of Christ as something we must hurdle to get to the other side in order to obtain salvation.  As the apostle John says, “We love, because He first loved us…” 1 John 4:19 NASU

 

Summary

1. We cannot “do” to please God.
2. Right words about Christian behavior are lifeless if there is no underlying confidence of salvation.
3. Romans 12:1 is where we find the motivation to be non-conformed to the world: we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God.
4. We live for the Lord because we ARE recipients of His grace.
5. Because we already have His forgiveness and life when we are born again, we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
6. True obedience flows from being saved. It is not something that guarantees us salvation.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

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Official Adventist Resources

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