Having carefully laid a solid doctrinal foundation in chapters 1-11, Paul turns in chapter 12 to framing the kind of life that must be built upon that foundation. What does this transformed life (12:1) look like, and how does it differ from the life that is conformed to the pattern of this world? Vss 9-21 form a string of ethical imperatives which in a casual reading might appear to be random or unrelated, but which in a careful reading and consideration are seen to be progressive demonstrations of what it means to love God, to love the brethren, and to love even those who harm you personally. Because moral precepts can quickly degrade into moralism and legalism, it is important to keep in mind that Paul's objective for us is not keeping rules but living the love that is the product of transforming grace...
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Pastor Bruce Ray has been senior pastor of Juanita Community Church in Kirkland, Washington since 1976. He also serves as a Police, Fire & EMS chaplain. Books include Withhold Not Correction and Celebrating the Sabbath (both published by P&R Publishing). He is a member of the...
