All Christians must submit to their master, Jesus. And there are three specific human relationships that define our home life and in which we submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Every man and woman here who bears the name of Christian is called to become more like Jesus. It is a good thing to believe in Jesus, and it is a great thing to become like him over a lifetime.

This passage of Scripture presents a description of a Christian - do you see yourself in it? Christians can and must see themselves first as holy and beloved by God in Jesus. Only then can our lives resemble Jesus in compassion, kindness, patience and forgiveness.

In Christ we are new people, being renewed. This gives us the grace, strength and hope to fight (kill) sin, purge ungodly behaviors, and continue to live the new life we have now bound to Christ and others.

We are all on a journey through life, the success of which depends upon Whom we are seeking and how much we savor Him along the way.

Don't give into false outward religion - focus on Jesus. He himself is the substance of our faith and our hope. Nothing and no one else. There are no deeper journeys into biblical faithfulness beyond Jesus.

God's forgiveness doesn't mean that he just hid or overlooked our sins. He knew them all and canceled them once and for all.

Walk closely with Jesus by receiving the great gift of HIMSELF to you, knowing that He loves you more than you can imagine, has rooted you in Himself and is building you more into Himself each day.

We can be tempted to think that all our work is for nothing, that it is futile and fruitless. We must understand that the kingdom of God advances through suffering and proclamation and brings us all to greater maturity in Christ.

We can be tempted to think that our peace with God is little more than words on paper. Brother and sister Christian we must lay hold of the peace that is already ours with God. You have reason to be confident that God is at peace with you because of what he did in Christ.