01/29/21 WHAT’S NEW? #15 — Romans 7:6 (HCSB) But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may SERVE IN THE NEW WAY OF THE SPIRIT and not in the old letter of the law.

“released from the Law”: Not freedom to do what God's law forbids (6:1, 15; 8:4; cf. 3:31), but freedom from the spiritual liabilities and penalties of God's law (see v. 4; cf. Gal 3:13). Because we died in Christ when He died (see 6:2), the law with its condemnation and penalties no longer has jurisdiction over us (vv. 1-3).

“SERVE”: This is the verb form of the word for "bond-servant" (see 1:1), but here it is parallel to being slaves of righteousness (cf. 6:18, 19, 22), emphasizing that THIS SERVICE IS NOT VOLUNTARY. NOT ONLY is the believer ABLE to do what is right, he WILL do what is right.

“IN THE NEW WAY OF THE SPIRIT”: A NEW state of mind which the Spirit produces, characterized by A NEW DESIRE AND ABILITY TO KEEP THE LAW OF GOD (see 8:4).

“The old letter of the law”: The external, written law code that produced only hostility and condemnation. (adapted from The MacArthur Study Bible)

01/25/21 WHAT’S NEW? #14 — Romans 6:4 (HCSB) Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in A NEW WAY OF LIFE.

“buried with Him”: Since we are united by faith with Him, as baptism symbolizes, His death and burial become ours.

“A NEW WAY OF LIFE”: This is true if, in Christ, we died and were buried with Him, we have also been united with Him in His resurrection. There is a new quality and character to our lives, a new principle of life. This speaks of the believer's regeneration (cf. Eze 36:26; 2Co 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 4:24). Whereas sin describes the old life, righteousness describes the new. (adapted from The MacArthur Study Bible)

01/22/21 WHAT’S NEW? #13 — Acts 2:13 (HCSB) But some sneered and said, “They’re full of NEW WINE!”

In verse 15, Peter begins his famous Pentecost sermon asserting, “For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.” I’ve often wondered if Peter really knew much about people with alcohol problems. Over my long life, I’ve seen and worked with several folks who WERE often drunk before 9am!

In Ephesians 5:18-20 Paul says, “And don’t get drunk with wine, which ⌊leads to⌋ reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:  19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Apparently it was true back then—and still is today—that when believers raise their voices in heartfelt praise and worship to their Loving Heavenly Father, lost people frequently think we’ve lost our minds or we’re drunk. But, no,we’re NOT “under the influence,” as they say. But, to be sure, we ARE living under a very different kind of influence, DIVINE INFLUENCE!

01/18/21 WHAT’S NEW? #12 — John 13:34-35 (HCSB) “I give you a NEW COMMAND: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Just AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, you must also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

The word “love” here is agape in Greek, the self-less, sacrificing kind of love God has for us.

The commandment to love was NOT EXACTLY NEW. Deuteronomy 6:5 commanded love for God, and Leviticus 19:18 commanded loving one's neighbor as oneself (cf. Mt 22:34-40; Ro 13:8-10; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8). However, Jesus' command regarding love presented a distinctly new standard for two reasons: (1) it was sacrificial love MODELED AFTER HIS LOVE ("AS I HAVE LOVED YOU"; cf. 15:13), and (2) it is PRODUCED through the New Covenant BY THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (cf. Jer 31:29-34; Eze 36:24-26; Gal 5:22). [The MacArthur Study Bible]

Our culture seems hopeless divided on nearly every issue and at every turn. And, there seems to be almost no willingness to listen and understand both sides in order to come to some sort of compromise or consensus. Instead our politicians and citizens continually say and do hate-filled things to anyone and everyone who does not agree with them 100 percent!? What a perfect time for committed followers of Jesus Christ to SHINE their LIGHT into this DARKNESS! Let’s work hard to show the world REAL UNITY in DIVERSITY by LOVING EACH OTHER!