Continuing with the subject of sanctification, Paul addresses the work of the Spirit in that process. Many wrongly seek to improve their spiritual life through self-effort. Paul cites his own struggle in the matter and arrives at the conclusion that sanctification is only possible through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Sanctification is only possible when we walk in the Spirit.

This section of Paul's discussion of Romans focuses on sanctification. The death of Christ accomplished the justification of believers. Christ's perfect life demonstrated in His resurrection provides the believers with perfect righteousness so that they can come into God's presence. The risen Savior also gave the Spirit of God to His own to change their earthly lives through holiness to match the righteousness of Christ through their obedience. This message also addresses the issue of the will.

Paul deals with sin's reign and how, through the gospel, God has ended that reign. The reign of sin began when Adam sinned, and all his descendants became sinners. We sin because we are sinners. We have Adam's sinful nature. God changed all than for believers by putting them in the Last Adam, Jesus Christ. Believers are no longer under sin's reign. Grace now reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life!

The issue over law and grace is really not about human effort. Sadly, many Christians believe that keeping rules pleases God. The Pharisees, of which Paul was one, believed that keeping the law made them right with God. Jesus came to show the way to truly obey God and please Him.

As Paul develops the gospel message of salvation, he deals with the issue of law and grace. Two questions are posed, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" (6:1). The answer is No! His second question is "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?"

This passage explains what it is to be saved in Christ. The desire of God to restore all things to righteousness and holiness required a last Adam who would obey God fully. His death justified sinners and enabled them to be reconciled to God. However, God desires more, full fellowship, which requires sanctification to holiness. Jesus' resurrection assures that process which will be completed when beleivers are resurrected on the Last Day.

In this message, we continue in the text of our last message, Romans 5:1-5. As stated in the last message, Paul now demonstrates how the gospel changes the lives of those saved by it. In this message, we dig a little deeper into what it means to have peace with God.

Romans 5 begins a new section in Paul's development of the gospel. He has proven by Scripture that the justification of ungodly sinners can be obtained only by grace through faith. Now he applies that truth to show how it changes the lives of those who are justified by faith.

With all the tension and turmoil in the world in recent days, I was burdened to prepare a message asking whether we may be in the time just before the return of the Lord, No one knows for sure, but we are commanded to know the times and keep alert, faithful, fearless, and true to Christ and will for us.

Paul's use of Abrham is to correct the Jews about their understanding of salvation, that it is not by works but solely of Grace. What did Abraham believe? This message focuses on that question. Our next message will deal with the question, when did he believe? This passage is also part of Paul's purpose to show that the gospel is not limited the Jews, but that Abraham was the father of many nations. The gospel for all believing sinners, Jew and Gentile alike.