Chapel in the Hills

No longer bound by sin, Christians are to be slaves of righteousness. However, many Christians still live lives characterized by sin, proving that sin is still their master. For those who have been born again, Paul teaches that they are to be obedient slaves to righteousness, thus demonstrating their new birth. The only two roads, then, is slavery to sin or righteousness.

Christians have been freed from the power of sin and are no longer to use their members as weapons of sin. It is unthinkable, therefore, for Paul to hear that some Christians believe that being freed from sin frees a Christian to live in sin. Christians are to use their freedom for Christ and not lawlessness. Therefore, let us live in a way that we are weapons for righteousness in this dark world.

Death no longer reigns over the believer, because in Christ the believer has conquered sin and death. Therefore, Christians today must reckon themselves as dead to sin and alive to Christ!

Paul's focus transitions from justification to sanctification, and he begins asking the question, "Shall we continue to sin?" Sadly, many pulpits today preach a message of cheap grace, whereby, preachers encourage their congregations not to worry about sin because they are already saved. Paul's argument, though, is that true believers will demonstrate righteousness in their lives as evidence of be...

As all humanity died in Adam, so all in Christ are made alive. God gave His only begotten Son to save humanity from sin and its resulting death. Christ's obedience gained the victory over sin and death and His righteousness is imputed (or accredited) to the believer's account. Thus, Christians are saved by grace through righteousness to eternal life.

In this section, Paul breaks down the differences between the First and Second Adam. The Second Adam, Jesus Christ, is a much better representative because in Christ one receives grace! God's gift, therefore, to humanity is Christ but it is a gift that must be received by faith. Will you receive Him?

Death is a reality for everyone, but it is a reality that most seek to avoid thinking about. Heb. 9:27, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Thus, all people die but the question is who do you die in? Adam or Jesus?

Paul provides four characteristics of those who are lost, separated from Christ. He then compares those four characteristics of the lost with the four fruits of being found in Christ. The verses present the classical Law/Gospel argument that Martin Luther presented in the Reformation.

After explaining the doctrine of justification, Paul moves on to explore the benefits of justification beginning in Chapter five. After a brief overview of justification, Paul moves to explain the first thing one can expect is trials. Thus, the Christian life is not full of prosperity as the health and wealth preachers say, but rather is a hard road that produces patience, character, and hope.

Concluding his argument from chapters 1-4, Paul moves to explain the benefits that flow from justification. For those how have been justified by faith in Christ Jesus, there is now peace with God, access to grace, and the hope of glory.

In this passage, Paul focuses on the importance of faith in the believer's life. From this section, we see the characteristics, the result, and the object of faith. Like with Abraham, faith is something that places trust in the impossible; relying on God to fulfill His promises to His people.

Everyone is focused on presenting a good outside picture of themselves to others, but the only thing that truly matters is the substance of someone's life. With religion, as with many others areas of life, people seem to only be concerned about presentation. However, God makes it clear that He is always after substance. Paul argues, therefore, that one should be concerned with their walk and not o...

Your good works or deeds cannot save you from God's judgment, but only faith in the perfect works of Jesus Christ. It has been said that we are not saved by our own work but by His. Salvation by faith alone is the main argument from Paul throughout the book of Romans and Abraham is a chief example of this fact. Thus, Paul quotes Gen. 15:6 to defend his argument on faith.

In this section of Romans, Paul sums up his argument on salvation not being earned but given by faith alone. Furthermore, Paul's arugment builds upon the truth that there is only one God and that He is God of both Jews and Gentiles. Given salvation is based up on the merits of Christ, and not upon the merits of the believer, there is no room for pride or boasting.

After explaining that righteousness is only available by grace through faith, Paul moves to explain why God's grace is available to the believer. The foundation of salvation is the price that was pain - Jesus' precious blood. God displayed His righteousness by crushing His Son on the cross for the penalty of sin. It was this public act that justified the justified for His grace.

After building an argument for two and a half chapters that none are righteous and none are good; Paul turns his attention to the only hope for those who otherwise have no hope - Christ. In Romans 3:21-26, Paul presents six important aspects of salvation that give the believer security in their salvation - faith in Christ.

After building the argument that both Jews and Gentiles are in the same boat when it comes to salvation, Paul drives home the point that one human being is righteous (whether Jew or Gentile). Here is the key starting point for the Gospel - all have sinned and deserve God's wrath. Until one accepts this fact, he or she will not be able to accept the salvation that is available in Christ alone.

In this passage, Paul reminds his readers that Jews had a distinct advantage over the Gentiles because they were entrusted with the oracles (or Word) of God. The problem, though, is that they did not keep the Word of God but rather sought to appear religious. Thus, God is righteous in judging His people according to His Word.

The world is often focused upon outward appearances, accomplishments, and credentials, but God is focused upon the heart. What is needed today is not better-looking people but hearts that belong to God. If our nation is to experience revival, then its people need to be better conformed to God's image. A circumcisede heart is what is most necessary today!

Whether Jew or Gentile, all fall short of God's standards for righteousness. The Jews not being able to measure up to the Law of Moses and the Gentiles not being able to measure up to the Law of Conscience, all fall short. Nevertheless, there is one who kept the whole Law perfectly, Jesus Christ!