July 16, 2023
“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT). We are all sinners. We are not able to keep the law of God. It is holy and perfect. Yet, God made a way for us
July 15, 2023
“No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” (Romans 2:29 NLT). Paul explained that
July 14, 2023
“Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21 NLT). Paul warned those who taught the Word of God about the hypocrisy of applying it to others without first applying it to themselves. For just knowing God’s Word does not make one just. For it is the “doers of the law
July 12, 2023
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile” (Romans 1:16 NLT). In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he announced his desire to visit them and preach the gospel. He received his wish
August 3, 2022
DID PAUL GO TO SPAIN? What we know from Scripture is that Paul did indeed visit Rome, carried there to appear before Caesar under Roman guard. According to the final verses in Acts (Acts 28:30-31), Paul was held under house arrest in Rome for two years awaiting trial, yet had great freedom to preach and
August 2, 2022
DO YOU KNOW THE BLESSINGS OF FELLOWSHIP? As the apostle Paul concluded his epistle to the Romans, he expressed his great desire to come and visit with them. He didn’t know when he would be able to come to Rome. He hoped to one day carry the gospel to Spain and stop off at Rome
August 1, 2022
THE OLD TESTAMENT IS FOR OUR INSTRUCTION AND HOPE The apostle Paul declared that the Old Testament was written for our instruction and hope. Although as Christians we live under the New Covenant of grace and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant law, we are still encouraged to learn and be encouraged
July 31, 2022
AIM FOR HARMONY IN THE CHURCH Literally, Paul said that believers are to “pursue peace” and edify one another. Yet, the NLT’s use of the word “harmony” is appropriate because it captures Paul’s desire to preserve unity in the church, while allowing for diversity of individual conscience. The point of harmony in music is that
July 30, 2022
SPIRITUAL AND GOSPEL URGENCY The apostle Paul urged believers to get serious about their faith because of the lateness of the hour. This calls for spiritual urgency, because we must put off sin and any hindrance that belongs to the flesh, so that we might finish the race of life well. It calls for gospel
July 29, 2022
LEARN TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE Look for someone “ordinary,” or as in the KJV, someone of “low estate,” to sit with next Sunday at church. Stop avoiding those that you feel are beneath you or who make you feel uncomfortable by their lower social status or awkward demeanor. And stop acting like