June Loop Intro
Beloved,
Last week, we finished our study in Romans 12 that we began in January. This study has been so helpful to me personally, and I hope the Lord has used it in your life also. We’ve seen what a life of worship looks like in response to the Gospel. We’ve discussed many practical aspects of Christian living, but we need to remember that Paul flipped all those practical applications to the same carabiner on the basis of Paul’s appeal for total sacrifice and surrender – the Mercies of God. If we don’t stick to this basis, we will turn the Christian life into something it was never intended to be. As Tim Keller said, “the only sufficient motivation for the Christian life is gratitude for grace.” The Heidelberg Catechism asks in Question #2, “How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happily?” The answer summarises three things that happen to parallel the flow of the book of Romans. Answer: “Three things: 1. How great my sins and miseries are. 2. How may I be delivered from all my sins and miseries? 3. How shall I express my gratitude to God for such deliverance?” Romans 12-16 practically let us see #3 “expressing gratitude for deliverance” unpacked. These truths, rightly grasped, will have a more profound impact on our lives than anything we might see on the news or experience in our culture. They could be ground zero for revival and revitalization in our midst.
This Sunday, as we begin Romans 13, let’s be locked into how God might change us. There’s a lot going on with end-of-year school activities, camps starting up, summer ministry preparations, and ongoing ministry needs. At the same time, several in our church family have experienced a season of losses and health troubles. Let’s use this as a time to apply the rejoicing and weeping one anothering we’ve seen as a fruit of the gospel in Romans 12.
Can’t wait to see you this coming Lord’s Day!
Pastor Jayson