Sanctification Founded on God’s Mercies

Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 12:1-8.

The mercies of God form the foundation for the Christian life. On the basis of God’s one-way love to sinners in Christ, St. Paul now appeals to Christians concerning their life of sanctification and discipleship. Because of Jesus’ once-for-all atoning sacrifice, Christians offer their entire lives to Him as sacrifices of thanksgiving. Though the statement is paradoxical, these sacrifices are living because they are offered by those who are connected through Holy Baptism to the crucified and risen Savior. This service is the only sort of response that makes sense in light of what Jesus has done. Rather than being molded after this world, the Apostle reminds Christians to be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. This brings a renewed lens in which to view life and the world in order to live according to the will of God in the various situations that arise. Such discipleship is lived out as members of the body of Christ. All Christians are members of Christ and of each other. Within this Body, God’s grace is refracted and reflected through the way the members live in service to one another.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.