Romans: Rooted in Jesus, Slave to Righteousness

According to the Apostle Paul, when the Holy Spirit united us to Christ, the relationship with our former family ended, and we were brought into God’s family. This is bigger than switching from Ford to Toyota. Our affiliation with the Empire of Evil has concluded, and we have been brought into the Kingdom of Light. All that Christ has done (crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and new life) has been applied to us by the Holy Spirit.

 So what does that mean for us today? First, it means that when our old family, the culture created by depraved hearts, makes demands of us or encourages us to live in our passions, we have every right and obligation to say, "no." Second, when our sinful passions urge us to satisfaction, we have every right and obligation to say, "no." Third, we have every reason, based on what Christ has done, to pursue obedience to Him out of gratitude for his overwhelming grace. Finally, having been brought into this new family, we have a new relationship to pursue in our fight against our desires. This is the focus of what Paul says next.

 Join us Sunday as we consider the pattern of pursuing God's grace and worship the Giver!