As Paul opens Romans 9–11, he lays bare his “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” over Israel’s unbelief—even though they were entrusted with adoption, glory, covenants, the Law, temple service, the promises, the patriarchs, and (wonder of wonders) the Messiah’s human lineage. He even says he could wish himself “accursed” if it meant their salvation. His grief reminds us that while God loves the wo...  Read More

In Christ, our rescue is complete because at the cross, Jesus broke the penalty of sin, He is breaking the power of sin, and at His return He will remove the presence of sin. As a result, we have been saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. In the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Father’s agapē love has set its grip on us, meaning that nothing in the physical world or in the ...  Read More

What does it mean to you that God is for you? Even more, how does such a statement impact your life? The truth is, there is nothing like being on the winning team—God's team. Yet even while on the winning team, there is still work to be done and hardships to face in this fallen world dealing with our-still-to-be-fully-redeemed flesh. There are challenges to overcome and hard work to be accomplishe...  Read More

When we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit steps in—interceding with wordless groans that perfectly align with the will of God to guide us and to conform us to His Word and will. At the very same time, God is weaving every circumstance—sweet or bitter—into His good purposes for those who love Him. So that in every event and detail in and around our lives, He is at work whether we know it or n...  Read More

In Romans 8:22-25, Paul reminds us that creation itself groans in anticipation of redemption, and we too eagerly await the fullness of our salvation when Christ returns. While we have been redeemed by the finished work of Jesus, we live in a world still marred by sin, tragedy, and suffering. Yet, our hope is anchored in what Jesus has already done—His death, burial, and resurrection—and what He ha...  Read More

Paul lifts our eyes from present groans to future glory. Though we’re already saved, we’re still awaiting the full unveiling—our resurrection and the renewal of creation. God didn’t “beam us up” at conversion because His mission isn’t finished (see 2 Peter 3:9). Thus, until Jesus returns, just as the creation leans forward in hope, so should we live in anticipation of His glory being revealed—fuel...  Read More

In Romans 8:12–17, Paul anchors our identity by explaining that in Christ, we are no longer debtors to the flesh but children of God. As a result, we are now to be led by His Spirit instead of by the desires and inclinations of the flesh – we are a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). In addition to this new lease on life, we’ve also been adopted into sonship—given intimacy to cry, “Abba, Father...  Read More

Romans 8:5–11 draws a clear line explaining that whatever rules my mind will rule my life. The flesh pulls me downward toward self and death, while the Spirit lifts me toward God and life. In Christ, the Spirit already lives in me—proof that I’m alive to God now and guaranteed resurrection later. The same Spirit who raised Jesus will raise me too. Yet until His return, I challenged to learn to thi...  Read More

When we were condemned under the Law—unable to meet God’s holy standard because of our fallen flesh—God stepped in. In Christ our Passover sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirement the Law demanded, and in so doing, condemned sin in the flesh. The result? There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. The STATE of our salvation has changed. No longer are we sinners—we are sai...  Read More

Paul pulls back the curtain on the war within. Although he belongs to Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells in him giving him certainty of his salvation (see Ephesians 1:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:19–20), his flesh still resists and wars against God abiding within him (see Galatians 5:16-20). So, he confesses, “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out… nothing good dwells...  Read More

In Romans 7:7–13, Paul clarifies the purpose of the Law—that it was never given to save us but to expose us. It was never intended to be a ladder to climb to earn God’s favor, but a mirror to reveal our sinfulness and inability to do anything to earn God’s gracious favor.The Law was offered as God’s standard of perfection and holiness—yet, when its light shines on our corrupt and fallen hearts, si...  Read More

Paul, using the illustration of a marriage dissolved by death to release the living spouse from their vow, explains that through the death of Jesus, we too have a new status with God and the Law. The result is that the Law, while still helpful, no longer has jurisdiction over us and we are released to belong to Him who was raised, so that we might bear fruit for God through the Holy Spirit. The La...  Read More