Romans: Accept One Another Because Christ Accepted You
Whether it is a simple act of kindness or a commitment to make disciples, there is a profound joy that comes from serving others without expecting anything in return. Why does it feel so good? I believe it is because when we serve selflessly, we connect to the very heart of Christ. But before we can serve others, we must first welcome and accept them into our lives, just as Christ has welcomed and accepted us.
Romans: Live in Harmony With One Another
In Romans 15, Paul highlights the vital theme of harmony within the body of Christ. Harmony is not merely about agreement or avoiding conflict; it is about living in a way that reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for others.
Romans: Build Up, Don’t Trip Up
For the past year, we have been walking through the book of Romans, and now we are in the home stretch. The book of Romans is Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, written as he prepared for a visit and hoped to continue his journey to Spain. In this letter, Paul lays out his […]
Romans: The Right Hills to Die On — Love over Judgement
In Romans 14:1-12, Paul explains how Christians should respond when opinions and minor disagreements threaten to disrupt our unity. As we dive into the specifics of this chapter, we will explore how Paul instructs us to manage personal convictions and the disputes that arise from them, emphasizing that love must prevail over individual judgments.
Romans: Running Out of the Darkness and Into the Light
Romans 13:11-14 is a profound summons to transformation. Paul urges us to abandon the deeds of darkness and step into the light, fully clothed in the armor of Christ. Let’s dive deeper into what it means to live in this new light, exploring how to actively “put off the deeds of darkness” and “put on the armor of light.”
Romans: The Debt of Love
In Romans 13 Paul suggests that just as we feel compelled to settle our financial debts, we should feel an even greater compulsion to fulfill our debt of love towards one another. Here, love is more than an emotion; it is a testament to our faith.
Romans: Living as a Citizen of Heaven Under Human Authority
In Romans 13:1-7, we are commanded to submit to governmental authority. As we dive into this passage, it is crucial to keep in focus the ultimate priority in our lives — our relationship with Christ. This perspective does not diminish the significance of our roles within our earthly citizenship but rather frames them within the larger context of our eternal citizenship in God’s kingdom.
Romans: Christian Living Part 2 — Loving When It’s Hard
As we study Romans 12:14-21, we confront some of the most challenging aspects of Christian living — extending love in the face of adversity and opposition. Let’s explore how we can live out this high calling, not by our might, but by the Spirit of God who empowers us to love radically and sacrificially, even when it is hard.
Romans: Christian Living Part 1 — Love One Another
In Romans 12:9-13, Paul challenges us to embody the Gospel in every aspect of our behavior and interactions. As we explore how Paul instructs us to use our gifts in the context of love, it is clear that our actions towards one another should not only reflect our faith but should be driven by it. Love, as Paul outlines, is not just a feeling but an active, engaging force that must permeate every interaction within the community of believers.
Romans: Spiritual Gifts Reflect a Spiritual Mindset
Romans 12:3-8 is a cornerstone for understanding Christian service and spiritual gifts. However, Paul stresses that the proper use of these gifts can only stem from proper thinking — about ourselves, about others, and about the gifts themselves.
Romans: Don’t Be Conformed… Be Transformed!
Romans 12 shifts from theoretical understanding to practical application of the Gospel’s truths. Romans 12 provides the actual game plan for living out the Gospel in transformative ways that affect not only ourselves but the world around us.
The Gift of Singleness
As we continue to study the Gospel Family Blueprint, we are going to look at 1 Corinthians 7 to dive into a topic that might seem relevant only to a specific group within our church — singleness. However, 1 Corinthians 7 does not just address singles; it speaks to everyone by challenging common misconceptions and encouraging a fresh, biblical view of singleness.