Paul wrote the first eleven chapters of Romans and then gave a life altering call. He gave a compelling invitation!!!  We sometimes belittle preachers for giving an “Altar Call.” Consider Romans 12:1-2. This is definitely an “Altar Call.” It also may be the biggest “Therefore” in all of Scripture. Think about it… “I beseech you therefore…” How powerful are those words? Let’s just say, “POWERFUL”! On the basis of Paul’s “Constitution” of theology consuming eleven chapters, Paul begs us to be “Living Sacrifices.” This is where MISSIONS comes in. Every missionary has to come to grips with Paul’s “Therefore.” And give serious attention to his “Altar Call.” Even a surface understanding of Paul’s Spirit driven theological explosion in Romans cries out for a response. That response cannot produce anything less than “Living Sacrifices.”

Now for a real challenge. Consider this question. Am I living as a “Sacrifice” for my Lord and my God? The Lord demands an answer. After He has done everything necessary for my salvation and for me to see beyond my days in the flesh, am I a “Living Sacrifice?” Paul knew what he was writing… he was not in some kind of a trance! If he was spiritually alert enough to plunge into the depths of the theology he wrote, he was spiritually awake enough to be a “Living Sacrifice.” Maybe Paul’s theology is beyond us? Maybe our grasp of his words is too superficial for us to respond with our lives! Maybe so!!! The bottom line is this… If you grasp Paul’s theology, you grasp his “Altar Call” to be a “Living Sacrifice.”

Paul closed Romans with this beautiful prayer… Romans 16:25-27 Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.