Three times in Paul’s final portion of Romans he uses the Greek verb parakaleo, “to beseech, to beg, to urge”. As impassioned as humanly possible, he writes:
“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…Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me…Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 12:1, 15:30,16:17).
Because of his usage of the present tense, Paul’s earnest appeals are timeless, appropriate for every Christian in every generation. Here are three Christian duties which never expire:
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Holy, sacrificial living. As a priest, your daily life is to be lived in constant service to God and His standard of holiness.
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Earnest, passionate praying. As a spiritual kinsman, the incense of your intense inter-cession on behalf of others is to ascend to Jehovah whose sovereignty and providence rule our world.
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Vigilant watchfulness and avoidance of the spiritually toxic. As a watchman, your unswerving focus is to be on the enemies of Christ and His gospel. A perverted gospel deceives and destroys. It must be avoided.
A living sacrifice. Striving in prayer. Noting and avoiding false teachers. These are three essentials of godly living in Christ.
