Our submission to God is evident in our capacity to love others and pursue holiness. By reflecting God's love and character, we bridge the gap between ourselves and the world, demonstrating God's true nature and revealing His love, grace, and authority to those around us.

In Romans 12, the apostle Paul, the author of Romans, turns the corner from the beautiful theology and deep doctrine of Romans 1-11. Romans 12 is the hinge of the letter. This begins the fourth section of the book of Romans, which is God’s will. God’s will is for Christ-followers to live out their faith in their everyday life. A Christian’s walk should equal their talk. We are called to put into practice the teaching God pours into us. May we live out our faith and impact the world for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For Israel then and us now, CLOSED doesn’t mean FINAL.

I ask then: Did God reject His people? By no means! Romans 11:1a 

What if we let Paul be both PATRON and PICTURE?

I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1b 

Just because we see DOOM doesn’t mean there’s no DOOR.

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. Romans 11:5 

Question: Am I living a life that makes people LONG for or LIMIT grace?

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. Romans 11:13-14 

Rather than conceited, the Gospel should make us CONVICTED.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited… Romans 11:25a 

Evangelism must be an ongoing PRIORITY. (No MYSTERY there.)

…that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. Romans 11:31b

PERSPECTIVE must be dosed regularly.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Romans 11:33

God sent His Son, Jesus, to bring salvation to the world. In the Old Testament, God called out a people for Himself through which He would reveal His character and ultimately send His Son, the Messiah. Salvation is not based on what we do or where we are born. Salvation is found in Jesus alone. Paul always had a heart to share Jesus with others – first for his own people, the Jews, and then for all others, the Gentiles. The call comes to each of us today to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior and then to share Him with others. May God find us faithful in sharing His heart of salvation with others today.

Romans 8 is one of the greatest chapters in the entire Bible. The chapter begins with the freedom we have through Jesus Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin and death, but as Christ-followers, we are truly alive in Jesus. Then, we see God’s sovereignty in how He is always working in our lives. As Christians, we should be living and looking more like Jesus. This should bring boldness into our lives. We don’t have to live a defeated life, but we can live victorious through the grace and goodness of God. We are never separated from His love!

A gospel foundation in the next generation happens when the adults in their life are intentional about living out the gospel. We pray that the next generation can observe God’s Good News within us and that we can articulate God’s great love toward us. His great love not only drives us toward repentance, but it also changes how we live and interact with the world around us. 

God calls us to live by faith. In Romans 4, Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith. Paul shows how Abraham believed God, and it was credited to Him as righteousness – and this was even before the Law. The Law doesn’t save us – faith in Jesus saves us. The Law shows us where we fall short and how we need a Savior. It’s not about religious practices like circumcision, but about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and the outward expression becomes baptism. Like Abraham, our faith and obedience to God impacts ourselves, our family, and generations.