We live in a world where we often feel vulnerable. There are earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides, etc. As children were often scared of spiders, snakes, and large dogs. There is much in our physical world to be afraid of. But beyond the physical world, there is also the world of men. We may experience the fear of rejection or the fear of failure . If we’ve lost a loved one, we may develop the fear of abandonment . In other words, we often feel powerless and vulnerable in this world. Fortunately, we don’t feel this way all the time. Unfortunately, we do feel fear more often than we would like. You may be interested to know that this was not the original design. God intended for humans to live in close fellowship with him, always feeling his protection and his love. We were to live in a world that was safe- in a world where we had control over the forces around us. But unfortunately, man decided to go his own way, and when he rebelled agains...
For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace . (Ro 6:14) The book of Romans is deeply profound, and often hard to understand. One of the more puzzling sections are chapters 6-8. Paul seems to be saying two things at the same time. On the one hand, in chapter 6, he tells us we have a new capacity to resist sin. On the other hand, in chapter 7 he paints a vivid picture of enslavement to sin. For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. (Ro 7:14-15) The casual reader may wonder, "Which is it?” Let’s look at it carefully… Leading up to chapter 6 he clearly shows that all have sinned, and we are saved through the redemption in Christ. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace throug...