This is a simple exposition of Romans chapter twelve and it succeeds in unfolding that chapter well. Everything hinges around the theme of how to be the church as revealed in the chapter following on as it does from the doctrinal section of this most important epistle. The burden of the book is to show that church is community, dwelling in joyful love and serving with cheerfulness. The short chapters, each followed by questions for consideration in personal and group settings are readable, heavily laced with personal anecdotes from the authors experience in her ministry and church life as well as her own wrestling with severe debilitating sickness. To some readers these personal allusions might become a little grating as they pile up but on the other hand they help as the book seeks to avoid being only theoretical. As will always happen when faithful exposition of the Biblical text is attempted various malpractices taking place in the contemporary church are exposed and addressed, the positive of truth unveiling the negatives of error. That church is failing to be truly the community is certainly the case and that it is frequently filled with the dominance of the youth culture and entertainment is also to the point. The book is full of instruction, Paul’s terse phraseology in this chapter twelve is brought out helpfully to encourage obedience that leads to a buoyant and joyful church life freed from the tensions and burdens of various denominational and charismatic legalisms. It is always refreshing to be encouraged to reclaim true practice, the riches of life available through the grace of the Lord Jesus and thereby turn away from the rather superficial expressions of church so common in our day. An honest reading of this book with prayerful attitude will result in a call back to authentic church life, specifically to become God’s community of love. We should be glad that it simply relies on the power and grace of the timeless word of God to do its work in the lives of those who will receive its counsels.
