In Jesus we have been released from being married to our old way of life that leads to death - we have died to that marriage. We are now married to Jesus so our desires totally change and we can love God and love our neighbour! May it be so in our lives.

We are under new management in Christ. Set free from a cruel commanding officer who promises a lot but only pays us death to belong to a new master who gives us the gift of everlasting life.

We need to know who we are in Jesus and then be who we are in the strength he gives us!

We are queued up in one of two lines - either Adam's line or Jesus' line. The lines couldn't be more different. One is a 'dead' line. One is full of abundant life. Praise God that he sent a second and last Adam, Jesus Christ!

We have peace with God. We have a hope that will never disappoint. God has poured his love into our hearts - and what a love it is!

Unity is so important as God's people - we have one faith - the faith of Abraham. His faith wasn't a blind leap in the dark and neither is ours. It is based upon who we know God to be - his track record and most of all, what he has done in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

God loves to give good gifts to his children. He has given us the greatest gift of all - being with right with him through Jesus. It's always been a gift, even for people like Abraham and David. They had faith in Jesus too because Jesus is the only Rescuer.

How can good things happen to bad people? How can I a sinner have peace with God and be called good by him? Because of Jesus, our sacrifice and goodness. God is totally fair and just. In fact, because we are in Jesus, it would be unjust for him to condemn us! Glory!

Wow! These verses are so convicting. None of us are good in and of ourselves. We need one who is good to rescue us! Thank the Lord that the next verse (v21) begins, 'but now'.

The whole Bible is 'the very words of God'. What a privilege it is to have the Bible and hear it read and explained. What a responsibility to have ears to hear! God is just in punishing sin. We are responsible for our sin and need the rescuer, Jesus Christ.