Have you ever felt stuck in a relationship you just couldn’t make work—constantly trying, constantly failing? Have you ever been in a relationship that became toxic, not because of what the other person did, but it was all your fault? Ok, I see most of you with this puzzled look “No, not me, never. It's always been the other person’s fault.” Sometimes our spiritual lives feel like that: we’re trying to be “good enough,” but end up burdened with guilt & shame. Today, as we open to Romans 7, Paul uses a surprising analogy to explain how powerful grace is at providing Hope! He uses the analogy of marriage, a failing one at that, to illustrate just how powerful the grace of Jesus can be. He talks about marriage, death, and adultery… “Wait Pastor, I thought you said this was a hopeful sermon!” Paul’s example may feel jarring, but there’s a powerful reason behind it. You’re going to hear some powerful theology today, good news, your desperate, hurting heart has been longing for!