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Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 2:9-16 Salvation: A Gift Conditioned on Obedience  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
The transcript argues God did not give commandments merely to prove we are powerless, citing Zacharias and Elizabeth as “walking blamelessly” and William Law’s claim that “doing our best” is the only perfection God requires; what would need to change in your spiritual habits if you actually believed obedient living is possible (though imperfect) and expected by God?
Another way to ask: If God expects real obedience and believes it’s possible (even if not perfect), what would you change about your daily spiritual habits? What habits would need to grow so you actually live that way?

Direct Answer The transcript implies you would need to move from passive hearing to intentional doing: aiming at real obedience, trusting God’s mercy for imperfections, and refusing the excuse that commandments are impossible. Since it doesn’t prescribe a detailed habit plan, a reasonable inference is that you would build routines around Christ’s commands and serious self-examination.

Support from Transcript:

  • “The law was not given to tickle the ears… but to lead them into godly living.”
  • Jesus: love is shown by keeping His commandments; and He rebukes those who say “Lord” but do not obey.
  • James: “Be doers of the Word, and not only hearers, deluding yourselves.”
  • God did not give commandments “for the empty purpose of demonstrating that we are powerless to obey them, as some claim.”
  • Zacharias and Elizabeth: “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments.”
  • God “overlooked their imperfections because they served Him with complete hearts… It will be the same for us on Judgment Day.”
Discussion Follow-ups What “powerless to obey” story do you tell yourself most often, and how would your week look different if you believed God expects sincere, concrete obedience?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
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