Lede:
Who’s power? And what does life in the Spirit look like?
Intro:
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (Eph 2:8–10, CSB)
Did you catch that first line? We’re not saved by something we do.
And here’s my repeated exhortation…if you don’t get the once-weekly email that I send out on Sundays, you missed me point out the distinction between a biblical version of contemplative prayer and the very unbiblical versions of spiritual disciplines that are seeping into the church. One of those key distinctions was around what it is attempting to achieve…is it a means of being in relationship and letting the Holy Spirit help you be transformed by the renewing of your mind? Or is it somehow about achievement of salvation (or some part of salvation)? Is it how you find the real you? Conquer your sin? Or something like that?
By the way, if you want me to forward that email, just shoot me a note to hello@forthehope.com.
Today as we get into Romans 8, remember where we’ve been. Romans has been a journey: the Gospel as the revelation of God’s righteousness, God’s righteous wrath against sinners (and that’s all of us), God’s righteousness in saving us, and now we wrap up the section about the hope we have as a result of God’s righteousness talking about live in the Spirit and our assurance of hope.
New covenant:
Passage: Romans 8
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 39
Words: ~853
Wisdom:
Passage: Psalm 34
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 22
Words: ~361
Old covenant:
Passage: 2 Samuel 20
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 26
Words: ~774
Commentary:
Love you!
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
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