Hope Alliance Bethlehem

Authority. Even mentioning the word makes us cringe sometimes! But the call of Paul is to live in submission to the authority over us because God has established it and because it is the natural outflow of our command to love others.

Love is not a performance. It is the natural reaction of a heart overcome by the gospel. Understanding this changes how we approach our call to love God and love others.

Unity is enabled by humility and achieved through shared mission. It is the gospel that can transform us in these realities and create what the church is intended to be - a unified group of diverse people. Humbled by God's love for us and propelled by His love for the world.

God keeps his promises. Promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and promises to you. How does he do it? It's all about Jesus. It our unbelief that keeps us from realizing the promises of God.

Life is hard. There is not getting around this. But in the midst of a broken world, we are buoyed by the goodness of God. The full glory awaits us, but in the meantime the Spirit is a present help. In all the good purposes of God will advance and those who have received Christ will be seen through to the end.

What is the answer to the ongoing struggle of sin? The answer is certainly not us! But it is the Spirit. All who have trusted in Jesus are indwelt by the Spirit which makes possible our being enlivened by the Spirit and led by the Spirit.

Sin is a continuing problem, so what should we do about it? Paul is careful to remind us not to try to deal with it through the law (religion, moralism). These things only make the situation worse, believe it or not. Sure they are good things, but they are not ultimate. Jesus is ultimate and it is through our union with him that we bear good fruit.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Paul's fervent reminder to those who follow Jesus that daily sin brings daily death. More importantly, it is Paul's urgent plea to live into our union with Jesus and experience the abundance of life that is ours now.

Paul's question is an important one - should we just keep living in sin so that God's grace would keep flowing? And his answer is critical - not a chance! Those who have trusted Jesus are dead to sin and may live a new life. So, we are called to recognize Jesus as King and sin as a deposed ruler.

How are we supposed to live in light of Jesus work of salvation for us? Paul centers on one word - hope. Our hope in God is not just for a future someday in heaven, but also for an abundant life now where we are experiencing the blessings of the gospel even in the midst of our broken world.