"Free for All"

"The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a moral program should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him" ~ Galatians 3:11 (MSG)

The Apostle Paul knew that some of the first believers who had converted from Judaism, as well as Gentiles who had heard for decades that God demands adherence to Jewish law, were close to jumping back into the same slavery from which Christ had set them free. Today, we do it too. Think about the overwhelming joy, peace, and even relief you felt when you first learned of what Jesus had done for you and accepted it for your own sins personally. Now, think about how often you currently believe the devil's lies that you are a "screwup", a "fraud", or a "hypocrite". They are the devil's lies because even if you struggle, your identity now says you are a child of God! Do we still need to consider what living as His child means for us? Of course! But we must never go back to thinking our salvation depends on us. Instead, we must embrace what God has done for us, knowing that we are freely justified. This week at Friendship, we'll look more into Romans 3 and that justification which is "Free for All". We'll explore what it means to live, not "for" God, but "because of" God. Join us to hear more!