This word in the title, beseech, is an interesting one.  In Greek, it means to call near and invite.  Invoke by an imploring.  It is to call for, exhort, or intreat.

Paul uses it as an apostle in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Another interesting thing in this passage is the wording “By the mercies of God.”

Why would he need to say by the mercies of God?  What exactly does that even mean?

Is that just a dramatic way of saying something is important?  Or is there more to it than that?

You know, a dramatic type of lingo like how someone might say, “for the love of all that is holy,” hoping that it conveys how serious they are about what they are saying.

I am not convinced, in my spirit, that this is what Paul was doing.  I believe Paul understood it to be that he was motivated according to God’s mercy for those he spoke to.  I think The Holy Spirit is stirring up the mercy of God in Paul to speak what is most needful at a moment in time.  I also believe that the believer being able to grab hold of what Paul is saying is by the mercy of God as well.

In other words, let the mercy of God motivate in you the thing called for.  Mercy is calling out to mercy. The mercy to reveal draws on the mercy to activate.

What is being activated in this plea of Paul?

Believers present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

In Christ, the spirit we received from Him is already in the right position and surrendered as it should be.  Our minds are being renewed day by day by the washing of the water of His word spoken to us.  Now, it is time that our bodies be brought into this blessed package of Spirit life.

Paul goes on to say this is our reasonable service.  Amazingly, this is not an over-the-top, go-the-extra-mile kind of request.  Paul does not view what he is exhorting them to do to be asking too much or asking beyond what is reasonable.

If we think subduing the passions of the flesh (the yearnings our bodies may have that are contrary to what Jesus says is beneficial for us and according to His purpose for us) is somehow asking a lot, we are being carnally minded and embracing an enemy attitude towards God.

A living sacrifice bodily is not a lot to ask of any disciple of Jesus. Humility will gladly embrace such a call.  Humility always sees its need for Jesus and will choose to rely on His ways and wisdom above its own.  It does not pass the will of God through the filter of what the flesh desires; it subjects the yearnings of the flesh to the wisdom of God’s will.  True humility of heart understands how desperately we need the authority of Jesus in life.

Is God’s mercy being allowed to do all for you and in you it is meant to?