In Romans 12:1 we are told by Brother Paul:
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.
Over the years I have heard this taught as meaning that we need to be in church on Sundays, worshipping together. Now, we are commanded to worship together (Hebrews 10:24-25). This is for our own good, to lift up one another, to encourage each other, to sustain each other, to show our love for each other and the love of the Lord to each other.
Beloved, our reasonable service is much deeper than this. A believer’s reasonable service is to minister. Let’s take a look at this…
We must look at the original text in Greek in which reasonable service is logikos latreian. LOGIKOS is logical, rational…by means of reason. I think many of us see the term “reasonable” as meaning “acceptable,” something that is not too much, or not farfetched. I think we look at the term through our own personal feelings…taking it to be something we find to be agreeable to us.
LATREIAN can be taken a couple different ways depending upon its context. First, it usually means the service of a priest, one who ministers. It is also used to convey the service of someone who is indebted… a bondsman, an indentured servant.
Taking the two words together, we honestly get that it is only logical to serve the Lord in every way we are called because He sacrificed Himself for us, He paid for our sin, He provides a path to heaven that we couldn’t otherwise have. He redeemed us, so we really are indentured to Him.
Looking at the rest of Romans 12 we see how we are to minister…
We need to remember that we live in the world but we must not change ourselves to fit into what we think the world wants us to be… James 4 –friendship of the world is enmity with God. We have to transcend the world’s expectations by renewing our minds to know God’s will. We do this by studying the Word, by familiarizing ourselves with His truth, and being in prayer. In short, we need to know His expectations.
He expects us to believe that we are no more important than anyone else…we are equal in His eyes, He loves us all the same, we are all in this together each with his or her own job to do.
We have to render a humble service according to our calling using the gifts we are given. Romans 12:6-8 NIV…
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
We must love one another, all the time, no matter what. We cannot slack off; we must remain industrious and keep a burning desire to serve the Lord. We must rejoice in the hope of Christ, be patient in times of trouble knowing the Lord will see us through. Always be in prayer. Always be hospitable and take care of the needs of others. Romans 12:9-13 KJV…
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Love also means we must be forgiving and merciful. We serve those who do not like us, we celebrate with those who are happy, we cry with those are sad. We know that we are all equal and we do not separate ourselves because we think we are better. Romans 12:14-20…
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
We forgive and love, we act honestly and do what is right, we strive to live in peace with everyone. It is the Lord’s place to judge, not ours. Romans 12:17-19…
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
So, beloved, our reasonable service is to minister, for this is love. Your ministry may be praying for one another, it may be teaching or preaching, parenting, tending to the sick, delivering meals, providing encouragement, sending a card, making a call, listening, sitting with someone, waiting.
No matter what it is, we are all called to ministry for this is love and love can be shown in many ways. This is our reasonable service,
1 Johnn 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
A Special Note:
We here at 2 Shirts Ministry want to show the love and hope that only comes from Jesus Christ. We give our time and resources to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others. We believe that by being good stewards, we can take the resources of the Lord that are currently wasted and transform them into meaningful, thoughtful, remembrances of His love. Providing warm clothing in the winter and cool clothing in the summer to those out in the elements, unsheltered; clothes for children who have left their home; fresh clothing for those who have survived natural and man-made disasters…this is how we can show His love. Serving others and letting them know that they are cared for and remembered by others and by Him.
If you are called to help, please pray and check out this page.
God Bless you all,
Chaplain Maloney