The aim of Paul's ministry was "to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Rom 15:16.
The offering they were to make was the offering of their bodies (12:1), the offering of their entire lives (6:13). Lives, made holy by Christ's sacrifice and the sending of the Spirit, as lives of love that pointed toward the coming kingdom.
This offering is made in view of Gods mercy to them and faithfullness to Israel (11-12:1 ;15:8-9).
It is prompted and sustained by the proclamation and understanding of the will of God, that resists the thought patterns of the current age, whether they be pagan idolatry or torah keeping ignorance. This 'will of God' isn't some vague individual guidance, but the narrative of God's action to reconcile both Jew and Gentile to himself and each other under one new Adam. This is God's mercy, and as we proclaim it, Spirit sanctified love is the goal.
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