Michael Lawrence

“The Spirit doesn’t simply make me a singular new creation. He makes me part of God’s new creation people. He inscribes God’s rule on my heart, teaching me about love for neighbor and love for my brothers and sisters in Christ especially. He teaches me that my life with God includes a life with God’s people, in the corporate worship and common life of the church. This is why John can say that you’re a liar if you claim to love God but don’t love your brother (1 John 4:20). Or why Paul can say that we, Jew and Gentile, have already been made one new man (Eph. 2:13–16). Regeneration gives us a heart not only for God, but also for God’s people.”
― Michael Lawrence, Conversion: How God Creates a People

“What is this freedom we’ve been given? It’s not a freedom to live as we please, but a freedom to glorify God through lives that display his glory. We’ve been given work to do (Matt. 9:38). We’ve been given our marching orders (Matt. 28:18–20). We’ve been entrusted with a message (2 Cor. 5:14–21). And, as a result, our lives find purpose in God’s delay, for as God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor. 6:1–2)”
― Michael Lawrence