When I was a new Christian, I told another believer that I was struggling with controlling my temper. She told me that I was not a genuine Christian because if I was, I wouldn’t sin. If she is right, not only was I not a Christian then — I still am not a Christian now. When you discover two very different interpretations of the Bible, how do you decide who’s right?
11 Romans 8.1-12 Deliverance from Sin
Most believers waste time trying to figure out how “to do” Christianity better. We search the Scriptures and self-help books looking for the “12 steps to faith,” “5 steps to better Christian living,” “3 keys to grace”, etc. I’ve got good news and bad news.
10 Romans 7:7-25 Law and Sin
Paul answers the question: “So if the Law multiplies our sin, is the Law sinful?”
09 Romans 6:15-7:6 Grace and the Law
If I am no longer under the threat of the Law, then I have no incentive not to sin? So if I have no threat of punishment, why can’t I “eat dessert first?”
08 Romans 6:1-14 Grace and Slavery to Sin
The promise of the gospel is not that we will have victory over every daily battle of sin in our lives right now. The promise is that ultimately, one day, we will win the war.
07 Romans 5:12-21 Grace Abounds
By end of Romans 4, Paul made case for why justification by faith. In Romans 5, he answers the question “so what?
Romans: Justification by Faith
The apostle Paul writes to explain the good news of Jesus Christ, who as Messiah, is the Savior for all people; who as the Transformer of lives writes His Law on our hearts; and who as the Lord of history is carefully bringing this salvation to all nations — culminating in the restoration of Israel.
Parables of Jesus
Parables are serious theology. But they are metaphorical theology. They teach through metaphor, simile, and dramatic action rather than through logic or reasoning.
Parable of the Vineyard Workers
This parable could be titled the “Parable of the Compassionate Employer.” No one in this parable is underpaid. The complaint is from those who are justly paid and who cannot tolerate grace being given to others.
Once a believer, always a believer?
Can I resist the working of God’s grace in my life to the point where I am no longer saved?
