For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”1
For our spiritual growth it is important to be part of a community of believers—in our case, as married couples we find it beneficial to belong to a Couples Small Group. It’s a safe haven where we keep confidence. Walk alongside each other to strengthen, encourage, and comfort one another. Amazingly, we have 2 pilots in our group. And because of them, I am reminded of two principles in aviation: One, there is a more powerful physical law that trumps the Law of Gravity, the Law of Aerodynamics. Thus, planes are able to lift despite its weight. Two, as the plane travels along its trajectory, the pilot always does a flight correct.
Similarly, the Law of Sin is supplanted by the Law of Grace. For by works of the law, no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.2 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” . . . . There is no fear of God before their eyes.”3 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.4
Through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, believers are justified and redeemed5; thus, accepted by the Beloved6 and sealed by the Holy Spirit.7 Positionally, we have been sanctified8 (made righteous and holy). Yet, we are a work in progress. We need to put-off the old self, and put-on the new self.9
Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.10
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.11 Interestingly, in 1 John 5, from v13-21, we know is mentioned 7x.
Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever.12
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”13
Notes:
1. Romans 1:16-17
2. Romans 3:20
3. Romans 3:9-18
4. Ephesians 2:8-9
5. Ephesians 1:7
6. Ephesians 1:6-7
7. Ephesians 1:13
8. Hebrews 10:5-10
9. Ephesians 4:17-24
10. Psalm 81:8-10
11. 1 John 5:13-14
12. Psalm 81:13-15
13. Jeremiah 17:7-8
