Welcome to The Safe Space!

In Paul’s letter to the Roman church, his heart longs for the people of Israel to be saved. Their enthusiasm for God has been known for generations—but it is a misdirected zeal. They do not understand God’s way of making people right with Himself. Instead, they cling to their own way, trying to be justified by keeping the law.

Yet God has not rejected His own people. A few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—His undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God’s kindness, it is not by their good works; for in that case, God’s grace would not be what it truly is—free and undeserved. God is both kind and severe: severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in His kindness. In this, Paul shows us that God’s mercy is for everyone.

So he pleads with us: give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you—good, pleasing, and perfect.

Then comes the warning: do not think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourself, measuring yourself by the faith God has given you. In His grace, God has given each of us different gifts for doing certain things well. If God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as He has given you. If you serve others, serve them well. If you teach, teach well. If you encourage, be encouraging. If you are called to lead, take it seriously and do it well.

Don’t just pretend to love others—really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring one another. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. Never take revenge—leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Verse of the Day: Luke 15:20

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Action of the Day:

Take a step toward the Father today, and watch him run to meet you.