In
Romans 12:1-2 you find clear instructions on worshiping the Father in spirit
and truth. The first word, in most translations, gives the most light, and is
often overlooked. It is the word “Therefore.”
The
little Greek word dia is translated “therefore.” This word underlines one of the
important principles of interpretation, which is to know the context. The word dia,
means “in the light of what has just been said, here is what you are to do.”
Whenever you read the word “therefore” get ready for instructions from God for
a response on your part to what He has just said.
One of
the ways of God is that He always gives instructions with His gifts. Every gift
comes with instructions. The gift, or grace, of His word, and the revelation of
spiritual truth from His word, comes with instructions. These instructions are
invitations to join Him in the creative work of His word in your life.
God does
not threaten in order to manipulate, He invites. He does not offer something
that He cannot produce, He invites with promise. Faith believes that God can
provide what He has promised. Faith is the response to the invitation of God.
The invitation of God, the revelation of Himself in His word, has the faith for
responding in it for the one who will receive it.
God
invites us to worship Him in spirit and truth. These two words, “spirit and
truth” best summarize what Romans 1 – 11 reveals about God. Everything that God
has said about Himself in these eleven chapters invites us to worship Him in
spirit and truth. In the light of the overwhelming brilliance of the multi-faceted
mercies of God, you are invited into the presence of the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ!
Tomorrow,
we will begin to examine these mercies and the how they invite us to worship
the Father in spirit and truth.
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