The Call to Holiness Body and Soul

The Christian is born again of God (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3). The Bible calls this “the new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). Whereas the natural man is void of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; 1 Cor 2:14), the new creature “in Christ” is indwelt by the third Person of the Triune Godhead (Rom 8:9, 11). Therefore, the Christian life is one led by God from within (Jn 16:13; Rom 8:14). The one who is made to believe in Jesus now walks through life in this world, as one who knows the truth about God and himself.

The Christian knows God from general revelation, as do all people (Ps 19:1; 50:6; 97:6; Rom 1:21). He also knows God from special revelation, that is, from the Holy Bible (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). He learns from the Scriptures that he is now being conformed to the image of the only begotten Son of God (Jn 3:16; Rom 8:29). This is God’s work of preparing a people for Himself, to be His own holy possession for eternity (Dt 7:6; 14:2; 1 Pet 2:9). Therefore, the Christian knows God through Christ; but he or she must also become another manifestation of godliness in the world before going home to be with the Lord (2 Tim 3:12; Phil 1:23). In other words, God is manufacturing and multiplying the image of the second Adam, Christ Jesus, our Lord (Gen 1:28; 8:17; 9:1, 7; Mt 16:18; Rom 8:29; 1 Cor 15:45).

In the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, the reader deciphers a section of sound doctrine (Romans 1–11), followed by a section on practical living (12–15). Our interest here is the beginning of the section on practical Christianity (Rom 12:1–2).

Christian conduct matters to God; and it should matter to us, for our ambition is to please God (2 Cor 5:9). Stated another way, Christianity is not just knowing about God, but it is living as a disciple of Jesus (Mt 28:19–20), who is the example of our way of life and our way to heaven (Jn 14:6; 1 Pet 2:21).

Christians are body and soul, with the Spirit of God added (1 Thess 5:23). The human soul is most closely identified with the heart and mind. The human body is the physical house and transport for the soul. For Christ to manifest the glory of God in the Christian means the world has another luminary to expose its darkness (Mt 5:14–16; Eph 5:8; Phil 2:15). For this reason, Paul encourages his readers at Rome to understand who they are and what they are to do. He calls us to present ourselves to God (Rom 12:1).

The call to this action has its foundation in all that the Apostle has written in the first eleven chapters. It is also based on the mercies of God. We learn in Romans 9:15–16 that God has mercy on whom He will have mercy. Indeed, He identifies us as “vessels of mercy” (Rom 9:23). Mercy means we do not get what we deserve. We deserve judgment and punishment for our sins; but there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). In other words, God sets the Christian free from the terrifying expectation of judgment (Heb 10:27). He is set free to serve the living God (1 Thess 1:9; Heb 9:14), now as an adopted child of God (Rom 8:15, 23; Eph 1:5).

God’s mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:22–23); and they are many. Paul presents the mercies of God as the reason for each Christian to live in the way he prescribes in Romans 12. This is where the Christian walks the talk and resembles Christ Jesus; and to whom much is given, much is required (Lk 12:48). In one sense, the apostle has filled the soul with doctrinal fuel, and now it is time to expend some of that spiritual energy by employing the Christian’s body in reasonable service.

In the old covenant design for divine worship, the offerings presented by the Aaronic priests were to be top quality. Paul encourages the brethren to do the same with what we are presenting to God. Christians, of all people, must know that everything we have comes from God, including our bodies and souls. He has given life to both.

Giving oneself, to the service of God, is an act of worship. We find God worthy of our acknowledgement (Prv 3:5–6), our thanksgiving (1 Thess 5:18), and our daily giving of ourselves to Him, into whatever He may direct us. He performs all our works for us (Is 26:12; Phil 2:13). He gives spiritual gifts to us (1 Cor 12:1; 14:1, 12). He produces spiritual fruit in us (Gal 5:22–23). It is a testimony of faith in Him for one to stop living in the pattern of the godless (selfish); and instead, to live in the pattern of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Messiah is the Holy One of Israel (Mk 1:24; Lk 4:34), for He is the true Israel of God (Is 49:1–7). To be holy like Him, who is God enfleshed (Jn 1:14), is God’s purpose for His people, “You shall be holy for I am holy” (1 Pet 1:15–16). We cannot see God without this sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in us (Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 1:2). With Him at work, we serve in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days (Lk 1:74–75). Whatever He requires of us, He performs all that concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8).

It is the work of the Spirit of holiness that is acceptable to God because God gets all the glory (Rom 11:36; Eph 3:21; 1 Pet 4:11), for all the work attributed to Him. It is Christ in us (Gal 2:20; Col 1:27), at work to bring us into alignment with the will of God. We know God’s will from His Word, which reveals to us what is acceptable to God, even that which is considered perfect.

With our heavenly Father being the perfect standard, it is Christ Jesus, His Son, who exemplifies this perfection in human form (1 Jn 2:1). It is the perfect work of the Spirit that takes our misalignment with God and brings realignment to our lives by teaching us the Word of God. This is the discipline of our Father to manifest more and more likeness of His Son in us (Eph 4:13; Heb 6:1; 12:4–11). This transformation is the growing up of the Christian into conformity to Christ, with the Christians’ end being presented holy and blameless before God (Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22).

Understanding this work of God in us is the Apostle Paul’s intention for the brethren. We understand what God is doing in our lives, and we receive all that He has for us, as the Potter masters the clay (Jer 18). He who began this good work in us will bring it to its perfect end (Phil 1:6).

Therefore, let us draw near to God without fear of what He will do with our lives (Heb 7:19, 25; Jas 4:8). Let us have confidence in our confession of Him as Savior and Lord (Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:4, 6). Finally, let us stimulate one another to love and good deeds, knowing He is at work in every way to encourage us to press on to the goal, the end of our high calling, to enter the joy of His presence and eternal rest.

David Norczyk

Manhattan Beach, California

September 16, 2025

Romans 12:1–2