August 3, 2024
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Romans 16:17 ESV). The apostle Paul gave two instructions concerning those who cause divisions and upset people’s faith: First, watch out for them. Literally, keep an eye out
August 1, 2024
‘I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”’ (Romans 15:20-21 ESV). The apostle Paul had a gospel
July 31, 2024
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:13 ESV). In Romans 14, the apostle Paul addresses how Christians should treat one another concerning matters of liberty and conscience. Specifically, he mentions diet, drink
July 26, 2024
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 ESV). The apostle Paul explained that being made right with God could not be achieved through trying to keep the law. For all have sinned and fall
July 25, 2024
“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” (Romans 9:2-3 ESV). The apostle Paul was continually filled with sorrow and anguish because of the Jews rejection of
July 24, 2024
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35 ESV). The apostle Paul posed a rhetorical question concerning the love of Christ asking, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Then after offering several possible separating scenarios,
July 18, 2024
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 ESV). The apostle Paul taught the Roman believers that they had been “justified” by faith. This is the doctrine of justification. One way to remember this doctrine is the saying, “Just-as-if-I-never-sinned.” For the word “justified”
July 14, 2024
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 ESV). Don’t presume upon the riches of God’s kindness, thinking you will not appear before God’s judgment seat in the end. Don’t let the apparent way that
July 12, 2024
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12 ESV). God made us for Himself and fashioned within us a deep need for fellowship. As Christ-followers our spiritual
March 31, 2024 | Romans 6:4-11 |
Of all the symbols that Christians might have chosen as an emblem of the faith, why the cross? The answer is that the cross points to Christ’s death as payment for our sins and the fact that the cross is empty points to Christ’s resurrection as the power that gives us new life in Him. The empty cross points to the empty tomb!
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he told them that it was being united with Christ in His death and resurrection that made it possible for them to live a new life. We can experience this new life in union with Christ’s death and resurrection.