Episode Summary: How Does the Gospel Work in Our Lives?

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Date: November 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson guides listeners through Romans 12–16, exploring how the gospel transforms and works itself out in Christians’ everyday lives. Moving from theological depth to practical application, Ferguson discusses the "concentric circles" of righteousness as taught by Paul, showing its impact from personal conduct to communal life and civic responsibility. The episode is both a devotional reflection and an encouragement for listeners to revisit Romans with renewed insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Transition from Doctrine to Application

• [00:08] Ferguson frames the discussion as a shift from theological teaching (Romans 1–11) to practical Christian living (Romans 12–16).
• Paul now answers, “How does this gospel work out in our lives?” with a special focus on real-world settings—even in a hostile context like imperial Rome.

2. Romans 12: Transforming Power of the Gospel

• The “transformed mind” is central:

  "The gospel transforms us as we yield ourselves to the Lord without reservation, because our minds are renewed through it by the truth of the Gospel." (Ferguson, 01:04)

• This renewal brings discernment and righteous living.

3. Concentric Circles of Righteousness in Romans 12–16

• Personal Assessment and Spiritual Gifts:
  • Christians are called to “have a sober estimate” of their gifts and use them to bless others.
• Transformed Relationships:
  • The transformed life spills over into relationships:

    “The way we engage in personal relationships with others then begins to change wonderfully.” (Ferguson, 02:00)

4. Marks of Genuine Christian Love (Romans 12:9–21)

• Paul calls for “love literally, that isn’t hypocritical, that doesn’t pretend, yet not a weak kind of love... it has a gritty stickability as well as a wonderful freedom from self interest.”
• Specific responses to circumstances:
  • Persecution: respond with blessing (v.14)
  • Others’ success: respond with joy (v.15)
  • Others’ grief: respond with tears (v.15)
  • Difficult people: seek harmony (v.16)
  • The lowly: relate without conceit (v.16)
  • Evil actions: repay with honor (v.17)

5. The Power to Love in a Hostile World

• This radical love is possible only because “we ourselves have been under judgment and the Lord showed us mercy. And so we're able to leave things to the Lord, and like the Lord Jesus, love our enemies.” (Ferguson, 03:06)

6. Christian Conduct Toward Authority (Romans 13)

• Paul teaches that “the lordship of Christ liberates us to serve,” both in the state and in the Church.
• “Our calling is to be faithful and respectful citizens. This is why Christians should make the best citizens, even ... in a state that is hostile to them.” (Ferguson, 04:32)

7. Life Together Amid Differences (Romans 14–15)

• Paul addresses tensions especially between Jewish and Gentile believers over food laws and holy days.

  “Freedom is for service, Paul says, and remember that Christ is the Lord of other believers. You are not. We all stand or fall before Jesus, who is Lord.” (Ferguson, 05:28)

• Practical counsel:
  • Be loving, patient, self-controlled, and self-denying
  • Never “flaunt your liberty”
  • “You're only truly free if you don't actually need to express your freedoms. But if you need to flaunt those freedoms before others, you're actually still in bondage.” (Ferguson, 06:00)

8. Paul’s Personal Hopes and Greetings (Romans 15–16)

• Paul expresses hopes for partnership with the Roman believers and extends loving greetings to many Christians he knows in Rome.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On love's robustness:

  “This love doesn’t tolerate evil, and it has a gritty stickability as well as a wonderful freedom from self-interest.” (Ferguson, 02:30)

• On Christian freedom:

  “I think you’re only truly free if you don’t actually need to express your freedoms.” (Ferguson, 06:00)

Key Timestamps

• 00:08 – Overview of Romans and movement into chapters 12–16
• 01:04 – Power of gospel to renew and transform
• 02:00–03:00 – Application of righteousness in relationships and Christian love
• 03:06 – Loving enemies through God’s mercy
• 04:10–04:45 – Attitude toward authority and civil society
• 05:28–06:40 – Freedom, differences in conscience, loving restraint
• 07:10 – Final reflections on revisiting Romans and the journey of spiritual growth

Conclusion

Ferguson invites listeners to move beyond a “helicopter ride” and spend time revisiting the main sites of Romans, encouraging deeper personal study:

“I hope it’s also like one of those tour buses ... We’ve just driven round all the main sites now, at least we’re a little familiar with them. And it’s time to go back to them one by one, spend more time at them. I hope you’ll do that with Paul’s great letter to the Romans.” (Ferguson, 07:10)

This episode is an invitation to live out gospel transformation in every sphere—personal, communal, and societal—guided by the enduring power of Christ’s righteousness.