It is in the context of the mystery of God's sovereign grace coming to the Gentiles in efficacious, saving power that the apostle to the Gentiles wrote the above words. The first amazing thing to me in these words is that believers, though dwelling in a body of sin and death, may serve the holy God of the Bible in a manner which is holy and acceptable through the mercies of God in Christ Jesus. Secondly, while the great apostle may well have commanded the Roman saints in this matter, he did not do so. Rather he said, "I BESEECH thee," then adds, which is your REASONABLE service." This simply means that nothing less is logical, reasonable, or makes any sense in light of what God has done for us in and through Christ Jesus.
I ask you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, does it seem unreasonable to you to dedicate and devote your whole self to the service of your God? (I Corinthians 6:19-20) Why certainly not! The Lord Jesus has given himself for you and to you, and it only seems REASONABLE to you that you live your life to and for Him?
Furthermore, brothers and sisters, those who are forced or coerced in any way into religious activity and service, or drawn into religion through bribery; that is, the promise of heaven and/or other rewards for their labor, have never yet entered into the service of the Lord! God must be served from the heart, freely, and with thanksgiving.
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