02.19. Fourth Main Division: The Christian Walk

Fourth Main Division: The Christian Walk
(Rom 12:1-21, Rom 13:1-14, Rom 14:1-23, Rom 15:1-13) The strictly doctrinal portion of our epistle ends with Rom 11:1-36, and the remainder is occupied chiefly with exhortations to a Christian walk in accordance with what has been taught. This is ever the Holy Spirit’s way, as seen throughout the Scriptures. Doctrine determines duty. Creed characterizes conduct. What a man really believes is revealed by what he does. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Pro 23:7) This method of teaching is illustrated in Eph 5:8, where it is written, Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. The doctrine precedes the exhortation, and furnishes the basis for it. And so it is in the closing section of Romans: these hortatory chapters are the outgrowth of the wonderful teaching of the preceding doctrinal ones. Here we shall find the whole ground of Christian life fully covered. First of all, the life must be yielded to God, and He must be in full possession (Rom 12:1-2). This is fundamental, and without it the Christian life cannot be normal. But let this point be settled—settled right, and once and for all—and great fruitfulness and blessing will result.