Built on Mercy

In Romans 12, Paul says to the disciple of Jesus, "Therefore, in view of God's mercy, life a life of sacrifice." The word "Therefore" is a big word for the disciple. Paul does not begin this part of his letter without any connection to the previous 11 chapters that display the mercies of God in Christ. The word "therefore" connect living to learning, duty to doctrine, belief to behavior, and orthopraxy to orthodoxy. The disciple's life is built upon the objective truth that Jesus saves sinners by living a perfect life for them, dying the death they deserved, his resurrection from the grave, and his rule as King.