The Apostle Paul urges us to allow God’s Spirit to change us by changing how we think about ourselves. How does this work, and what happens next? For what purpose does God make us into new people?

Pastor Ryan began his sermon with this quote from New Testament scholar Douglas Moo:

Romans has the reputation – well deserved – of being one of the most theological books in the Bible. Unfortunately, this reputation has led many Christians and even some commentators to wonder why Paul bothers with all the practical stuff at the end of the letter. He has finished the theology section at the end of chapter 11. Why say any more? Such an attitude betrays a basic misunderstanding of theology and its significance. All theology is practical, and all practice, if it is truly Christian, is theological. Paul’s gospel is deeply theological, but it is also eminently practical. The good news of Jesus Christ is intended to transform a person’s life. Until individual Christians own and live out the theology, the gospel has not accomplished its purpose.

Romans 12:1-8 (NLT) ; 羅 馬 書 12:1-8 (CUVS)

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Photo by AARN GIRI on Unsplash

Quote from: Douglas J. Moo, Romans: From Biblical Text to Contemporary Life (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2014), 393.