The reality is, there is an enemy who is actively seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. We need not fear, for victory is secure in Jesus. But we do need to watch out for those who would divide and obstruct our pursuit of Jesus.

In concluding his letter to the Romans, Paul gives a series of greetings to those in the churches in Rome. This letter is more than just information. But it is sharing the way of Jesus WITH one another.

The great commission of God - to make disciples of all people - calls for active participation among all who follow Jesus. We are either Going, Supporting & Sending, or Praying, and most likely all 3 at some point in our lives.

What compelled Paul to write his letter to the Romans?

1) Because God had graciously called him to, he had to obey God

2) because God empowered Him to through Jesus. 

To welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed us, is to extend a seat at the table of our lives; to invite someone into genuine belonging with us. And this welcoming is to extend even to the one we would have never beforehand.

We are instructed to be a people who welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. A way in which we do this is by bearing the weaknesses of others, in order to please and build them up in Christ.

As a follower of Jesus, it is my obligation to never put anything in the way of another growing to know, love, and become like Jesus. Rather, I am to always do what promotes peace and builds up.

The life of a Christian is a life of before & after. Before Christ, our life looked one way. After Christ, our life ought to look another way. But so often, even after Christ, we look the same. Therefore, Paul tells us, get up, get moving, and walk in the light as He is in the light. 

Paul shows how belonging to Christ changes everything—how we see people, what we're called to do, and what we're called to say. At the heart of the gospel is reconciliation: God reconciling the world to himself through Christ, and calling us to be his ambassadors.

The kingdom of God is a reality of existence that has always been present. At first, the kingdom of God existed in perfection. But it didn’t take long for the kingdom to be fractured. Today, we have experienced a partial return of the kingdom of God, but we still wait and look for the complete return of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.