Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

In Romans 12–16, the goal is to have a healthy relationship with others, which is why the book ends with people who are named and loved. When our family planted Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, just over six years ago, I chose our mission statement for every ministry in the church as:

We open our Bibles to learn.

We open our lives to love.

So that lives and legacies are transformed.

God has been incredibly gracious as these two pedals on our bike have us moving forward quickly. The key to Bible study is to have a growing, healthy, and transforming relationship with God and His people. When that is the focus, the Holy Spirit is very happy to show up in power to accelerate life change, healing, joy, and unity among people.

Your relationship with God informs and instructs you about what a healthy relationship should look like. Some people have broken relationships, difficult marriages, and children who don’t enjoy them because they have a misperception of their relationship with God. “God’s far away; therefore, I’m distant. God judges me, so I judge you. God punishes me, so I punish you. God is usually pretty angry at me, so I start by being angry with you.” When people have a misperception of God, they will then use and abuse people, wrongly thinking that they’re treating people the way God treats people. No, God loves you and wants you to love Him and others. God forgives you, so He wants you to forgive others. God blesses you, so He wants you to bless others. God is patient with you, so He wants you to be patient with others. God comes alongside you to build you up, not to beat you down. God wants you to come alongside others to build them up, not beat them down.

Today’s Reflection

Has your relationship with the Scriptures honestly been more about information or transformation?