The Christian life demands a radical redirection of priorities, motives, and actions. We turn from self-centeredness to live for God and others. As such, the Lord directs us not to the simple thing—to tolerate our enemies— but the impossible apart from transforming grace: to love our enemies and do them good.
What is the shape of a life devoted to God? Paul develops the theme of practical devotion to God in Romans 12:9–21. A central feature of this life, according to Romans 12:9–13 is sincere love for God and fellow Christians.
The complete devotion to God that Romans 12:1–2 demands is neither ambiguous nor abstract but clear and concrete. Romans 12:3–8 explains that the life of consecration involves humility and the use God-given gifts for the benefit of the one body of Christ.
Romans 12:1–2 marks the transition from doctrinal exposition to practical application of the truths presented in chapters 1–11. Here, Paul appeals to believers, who have experienced divine mercy, to present themselves, entirely to God.
Unbelief lies behind the desire for more evidence than what Scripture furnishes to prove that Jesus is the Messianic Son of God. But he has left one unassailable sign of his greatness: his death-resurrection. He raised himself from death—an impossible feat for all human beings. To reject him leads to a worse state in the […]