No matter where you fall on the political or cultural spectrum, someone is trying to make a case that what they agree with is right and what others agree with is not.  People take a stand for what they believe in, and it's usually loud and forceful.  Of course, this is an important part of our society.  The right to communicate the ideas that are important to us is among out most important values as a nation, despite the fact that most of us get a little tired of it over time.

     I was thinking about what it means to take a stand as I was reading Romans 5 once again this week.  Paul says in verse 2 that "we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."  What does it means to stand in grace?  Paul helpfully answers that question in the next section of Romans 5, which we'll be discussing this Sunday.  As we press on in our series Live By Faith, we are continuing to uncover layers of meaning in Paul's argument for faith in Christ.  Verses 6-11 build on what came before by defining in clear terms the meaning of what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross.  Standing in faith only happens when we are fully convinced by and dedicated to Jesus.  Let's strengthen our understanding of and commitment to standing in the grace of God.