Encounter the Truth

There is an internal conflict within the believer’s heart between the Spirit and the sinful nature. Both the Spirit and the sinful nature produce distinctive fruit. Paul calls us to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, producing fruit in keeping with the Spirit.

There are two dangers associated with our freedom in Christ. One is that we will forfeit it as we slip into legalism and try to justify ourselves before God; the other is that we will use our freedom as a license from sin. True freedom in the gospel allows no room for either.

There are two dangers associated with our freedom in Christ. One is that we will forfeit it as we slip into legalism and try to justify ourselves before God; the other is that we will use our freedom as a license from sin. True freedom in the gospel allows no room for either.

Having been set free from the demands of the law, it would be all too easy to slip into legalism once more. But we are children of the promise. If we trust in Jesus, we are true children of God and enjoy true freedom in him.

Having been set free from the demands of the law, it would be all too easy to slip into legalism once more. But we are children of the promise. If we trust in Jesus, we are true children of God and enjoy true freedom in him.

Through Christ, we are adopted as God’s true children. Because our standing is not based on Old Testament law, our access to God does not depend on being Jewish—and so, in Christ, all people who believe in him share in God’s promised salvation. Having this standing and this access, we can call God “Abba, Father.”

Through Christ, we are adopted as God’s true children. Because our standing is not based on Old Testament law, our access to God does not depend on being Jewish—and so, in Christ, all people who believe in him share in God’s promised salvation. Having this standing and this access, we can call God “Abba, Father.”

It may seem as though God’s Law and his promises in Christ stand opposed to one another, but Paul shows us that the law had the effect of leading us to Christ and to find justification by faith in him. Wonderfully, Christ brings us freedom from the "supervision" of the law. We live in the joy of sins forgiven and a relationship with God based on the merits of Jesus alone.

It may seem as though God’s Law and his promises in Christ stand opposed to one another, but Paul shows us that the law had the effect of leading us to Christ and to find justification by faith in him. Wonderfully, Christ brings us freedom from the "supervision" of the law. We live in the joy of sins forgiven and a relationship with God based on the merits of Jesus alone.

Although the coming and work of Christ might look like God’s plan “B” when salvation by works failed, actually, Paul shows us that God’s promises and plans through the Old Testament point to Christ and find fulfilment in him. Law-keeping was never the means of salvation, and we must never fall back into thinking that it could ever save.

Although the coming and work of Christ might look like God’s plan “B” when salvation by works failed, actually, Paul shows us that God’s promises and plans through the Old Testament point to Christ and find fulfilment in him. Law-keeping was never the means of salvation, and we must never fall back into thinking that it could ever save.

Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, and him alone; law-keeping will not save. Having been saved by faith in Christ, we continue to live the Christian life by faith in Christ—with whom we were crucified, and who lives in us by his Spirit.

Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, and him alone; law-keeping will not save. Having been saved by faith in Christ, we continue to live the Christian life by faith in Christ—with whom we were crucified, and who lives in us by his Spirit.

Paul’s personal testimony demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives. It also demonstrates that his gospel comes from God—and so is the true and authentic gospel that must be accepted and believed.

Paul’s personal testimony demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives. It also demonstrates that his gospel comes from God—and so is the true and authentic gospel that must be accepted and believed.

There will always be false teachers around—and there will always be alternative gospels on the marketplace. But a modified gospel is no gospel at all, and Paul warns us against fakes and calls us to accept only the genuine article.

There will always be false teachers around—and there will always be alternative gospels on the marketplace. But a modified gospel is no gospel at all, and Paul warns us against fakes and calls us to accept only the genuine article.

Just as Jesus called the apostles to be shrewd in their day, he calls us to be shrewd in ours—careful with our words, sensitive to our context. But at the same time, we don’t manipulate or compromise the message. By his help, we are to go out as his agents, innocent as doves, trusting his Word, trusting his power, trusting his provision, and leaving the work of judgment to him for the final day.

Just as Jesus called the apostles to be shrewd in their day, he calls us to be shrewd in ours—careful with our words, sensitive to our context. But at the same time, we don’t manipulate or compromise the message. By his help, we are to go out as his agents, innocent as doves, trusting his Word, trusting his power, trusting his provision, and leaving the work of judgment to him for the final day.

Jesus has shown that the Kingdom message is life-transforming and thoroughly wonderful. He sees that the world is ready for the message and, out of compassion, he wants them to receive it. But the need is simply this: workers to spread the good news.

Jesus has shown that the Kingdom message is life-transforming and thoroughly wonderful. He sees that the world is ready for the message and, out of compassion, he wants them to receive it. But the need is simply this: workers to spread the good news.

We see a new series of powerful miracles that show Jesus’ authenticity and power, but the more clearly Jesus demonstrates these things, the more forcefully the religious leaders oppose him and blaspheme against him.

We see a new series of powerful miracles that show Jesus’ authenticity and power, but the more clearly Jesus demonstrates these things, the more forcefully the religious leaders oppose him and blaspheme against him.

Jesus is radically different from the religious leaders of his day. He does not spend his time with those who view themselves as righteous or religious—he calls sinners to follow him. Jesus is not trying to update or tweak traditional Judaism—what he brings is radically different.

Jesus is radically different from the religious leaders of his day. He does not spend his time with those who view themselves as righteous or religious—he calls sinners to follow him. Jesus is not trying to update or tweak traditional Judaism—what he brings is radically different.