Can we really give our kids a vision for global missions when our daily lives feel so…local? Giving a vision for global missions starts by beholding the glory of the Lord and embracing the spirit of Jesus. But it doesn’t stop there. Missions is where awe becomes action. It’s taking what we’ve seen and letting it shape how we live—becoming the voice, hands, and feet of Jesus to the nations in front of and with your kids. Join Kristin Dearth for a conversation about easy, inspiring ways to raise globally-minded kids who love Jesus deeply and follow him boldly—beginning right in your own home.

A genuine, transformed Christian life is an overflow of God's mercy. It is a life spent in loving, serving, and using your God-given gifts within the community of faith, all for the glory of Christ. This is a profound process rooted in God's mercy and centered on Christ. It is not merely a set of rules but a new way of living that reflects a change in heart and purpose. God’s mercy is the deep, solid foundation that will hold us fast through every storm of life and as our lives are anchored in God’s mercies, they will demonstrate the transforming mercy of God in action…. God’s righteousness is displayed in our transformation.

God's Righteousness in Future Restoration | Romans 11 | Kïrsten Christianson

Here in chapter 11, Paul proves God’s righteous plan for future restoration with an argument that shows the intricacy, reveals at least some of the mystery, and underscores God’s sovereignty in his election plan for his people.

Paul’s intention in writing this passage was to show us that God is righteous in all things--including in his plan of salvation for the Gentiles and the Jews--and that we can and should completely trust him to accomplish his perfect will for each and every one of us.

Mary was completely paralyzed with polio at 15 months of age, not expected to live, and endured 18 years of surgeries, but God had a plan! The LORD is our redeemer of the past, present, and future as he uses the weak to confound the wise for his glory!

Mary was completely paralyzed with polio at 15 months of age, not expected to live, and endured 18 years of surgeries, but God had a plan! The LORD is our redeemer of the past, present, and future as he uses the weak to confound the wise for his glory!

God's Righteousness Rejected at Present: The Reason, the Remedy, and the Result

As Paul continues to defend God’s righteousness in election, in Romans 9:30-10:21 he zeroes in on the human responsibility to respond to God's offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus and confessing him as Lord are essential for salvation.

We have a present responsibility to respond to God's offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. While God's election is sovereign, He also calls people to put their faith in Christ for salvation. We also see the importance of praying (10:1) and sharing the gospel: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

In Romans 9 we see God’s unconditional election clearly revealed in the Bible, and we are stirred to humility, worship, gratitude, and hope as we reflect on our own salvation and prayerfully seek the salvation of others.

Paul’s anguish over unbelieving Israel was made more painful when he thought of all the unique privileges and blessings that they possessed. The question hanging in the air is “Has God’s word failed? Can we trust God?” In Romans 9:1-13, Paul launches into the basis of election: an explanation of the doctrines of unconditional election and divine sovereignty over human willing. Paul argues for God’s faithfulness in His sovereign election of Israel. He aims to vindicate God’s righteousness. 

God’s word has NOT failed! Our faithful God has kept, is keeping and WILL keep his promises!

To kick off a new season of MOMS, Pam Larson unpacked our theme for the year: Behold and Become. 

At some point, every Bible reader needs to wrestle with the problem of Israel's unbelief. If God failed to deliver on the big, saving promises he made to his people Israel, who's to say he'll be faithful to the big, saving promises he's made to us? Paul wrestles with this question after writing his most famous promise-filled chapter of all. And his answer is at once surprising and precisely what we should have expected all along. Surprising faithfulness: what else would we expect from a God like ours!