Refusing to Be Offended

Refusing to Be Offended

In a world that seems designed to offend us, Paul gives us radical instruction: avoid foolish controversies and quarrels. Don’t get sucked into arguments that are unprofitable and worthless. This is profoundly countercultural, especially in our age of social...
Refusing to Be Offended

The Evidence of Good Works

After presenting the beautiful Gospel of salvation by grace, Paul immediately addresses the evidence of genuine salvation: good works. This might seem contradictory. Didn’t Paul just say we’re saved “not because of works done by us in...
Refusing to Be Offended

Co-heirs with Christ

The goal of our salvation is staggering: we have become heirs. Not just any heirs, but co-heirs with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:17). Think about what an heir is. An heir is someone who receives the inheritance, the riches, everything that belongs to the one who has passed...
Refusing to Be Offended

The Beauty of the Gospel

The transition from verse 3 to verse 4 is breathtaking. We move from “our hatred of one another” to “His amazing love for us.” This shift from our condition to God’s compassion reveals the heart of the Gospel. Salvation originated not in...
Refusing to Be Offended

Remembering Our Former Condition

This verse is what the sermon called “the pride killer.” Paul knows that when Christians engage with unbelievers, especially those in positions of power or influence, pride will want to creep in. We can easily forget where we came from. We can look at lost...