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“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” ( Hebrews 4:16 )

There was a period of time in my life that I was not living as I should. Everything spiraled downward and the blur of those years caused much guilt and shame later on in life. Although it was a short hiatus in my young life I struggled to get past a few events that happened in my late teens and early twenties. Every time I moved on with the Lord after that, it seemed the devil threw this stuff in my face to remind me of that shame. Each time I felt unworthy of the Lord and wanted to run and hide from Him instead of running to Him.

My pastor at one time shared an illustration about Satan and His minions being the best videographers around. They love to catch footage of our sin and replay it over and over for us. Hounding us so as to remind us that we mess up even when we call ourselves Christians. They glory in causing heartache and guilt over past events that are done and over with. This illustration came to a profound climax when He explained that Jesus takes this video footage and erases it by His blood. Then when the footage is played back it is blank with no condemning evidence.

Only when you understand the complete forgiveness from sins can you have confidence to enter into the presence of God and boldly draw near to the throne of grace. The only thing that keeps you from fearlessly approaching God is your consciousness of sin. But sin is not an issue with God because Jesus has made perfect provision for you, making you holy and blameless sanctified by His blood.

So as believers we should not have a sin conscience. The writer instructs that we can enter in to God’s presence to receive mercy and find grace when we need it. Even in the midst of struggling with sin. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t. Mercy is not receiving the punishment for our sins. Grace is receiving forgiveness being restored to a state where it is as if we had never sinned in the first place. One drop of Jesus’ blood was more than enough to cleanse and wash us clean. If we hold on to the memory of our sin then we will never enter in to find this help and understanding from God.

Trouble comes when we don’t understand this amazing truth. I constantly dealt with the guilt and shame of my actions because I had no comprehension of the depth of His grace. I had taken over the playback of this video footage and each time it was erased I recreated it in my mind. It held me captive for many years and kept me from progressing into a deeper understanding of the Lord.

Freedom came when I saw the depth of God’s love for me through the eyes of Jesus. I finally saw what He sees, not what I played back in my mind. He does not see a sinner saved by grace, He sees a woman who is righteous, holy, forgiven, loved, blameless and set apart. He does not see the sins that have been paid for and removed from both of our presence. He sees the blood of His Son, which has purified and restored.

I have taken the words of I John to heart, “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” ( I John 3:19-21 ). If ever I struggle with guilt then I remind myself of the truth from God’s Word and suddenly my heart experiences the peace of God. The things that previously held me captive cannot hold me anymore. The Lord has done an amazing work in my life, even the memory of several events are but a faint echo of what was. Not only has He erased the guilt and shame I experience but He has all but erased the memory of it as well. Now I can look at myself through His eyes and see as He sees. This gives confidence to boldly approach God’s throne and be at rest in His presence.

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]” ( Hebrews 4:16 Amp ).

The book of Roman is a masterfully written exposition on grace. This letter to the believers in Rome has changed the hearts of many as they read and understand the wonderful truths nestled inside. Paul wrote this letter to these Christians to explain his revelation of grace.

Romans 1 covers Paul's introduction to the book of Romans as well as building a case against the entire world that we were guilty before God. The reason for writing the book of Romans was to share the gospel and teach that our righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ apart from what we can do to earn it.

Romans 2 is written to admonish the Jews that living by the law and circumcision does not make them righteous in God's eyes. This comes as quite a shock, but Paul stresses that living by rules and regulations only brings about judgment and condemnation. Paul concludes that a true Jew is one that has experienced circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of God.

Romans 3 completes the accusation that both the Jews and the Gentiles are guilty before God. Now the prosecution can rest and the defense can begin. Paul switches gears by explaining that the righteousness that the law was powerless to give us, God did by sending Jesus. He maintains that this righteousness comes by faith to all who believe in Christ Jesus apart from the law.

Romans 4 is proof that faith has always been the means for justification. Paul reflects back to the Old Testament patriarchs who were justified by faith, not works, to illustrate his point. Paul uses this illustration to prove that Gentiles were part of this promise given to Abraham. The whole world was blessed through him because he chose to believe God rather than his circumstances and because of this, his faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Romans 5 is powerful and instrumental in understanding that we are completely reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. God did not spare his son, but graciously gave him for us to undo what Adam did in the garden. Death came through one man's sin, but life came more abundantly in every way through the gift of Jesus. Paul stresses that this reconciliation is not something we are waiting for, but in every sense of the word, we are righteous, holy and pure before God.

Romans 6 eloquently teaches that, as born again believers, sin's power over us is broken. Paul maintains that we are freed from sin and made alive to God through Jesus Christ. Our sin nature was crucified with him when we were baptized into his death. Now through Jesus, we have received the gift of God which was eternal life.

Romans 7 shows us the contrast between living bound to the law and living fresh and new by the spirit of God. No longer slaves or in bondage, we are free to belong to another. The struggle with sin may still be evident, but Paul maintains we have no obligation to it. If we live by the Spirit then we will bear fruit according to our new nature.

Romans 8 shows how to live by the Spirit, letting peace rule in our hearts. The Holy Spirit within us testifies that we are children of God. He gives us assurance before God so we are convinced that nothing will ever separate us from His love. This is a passage of hope because we know our future is bright in Christ.

Romans 9 teaches us that it is not natural children that are God's children, but rather children of the promise. The promise comes through faith in Christ not by works of the Law. The Israelites who pursued righteousness by the law did not obtain it. But Gentiles, those who pursued it by faith, obtained their righteousness through Jesus Christ. Chapter 9 is a sobering call that Christ alone saves nothing else is sufficient.

Romans 10 teaches the word of faith. By confessing with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and by believing this in our hearts we are saved. Nothing more, nothing less. Christ is the end of the law so we can be justified and made righteous by faith in Jesus alone. Faith comes by hearing this gospel message and responding to it. Paul encourages us that "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 11 discusses that although Israel as a whole rejected Jesus as their Messiah, there is still a remnant chosen by grace. Their dismissal of Jesus has blessed the world because this salvation message was then opened to the Gentiles. However, they have not fallen beyond recovery, in the end Israel will be saved through faith. God's plan includes bestowing mercy upon all mankind.

Romans 12 encourages us to be living sacrifices in view of the mercy we have received in Christ Jesus. We do this through renewing our minds to the truth of God's word, serving and blessing the body of Christ through our gifts and above all by loving and being devoted to one another. Romans 12 is a call to live a life of peace, faithfully serving the Lord in all things and overcoming the evil of the world by the lives we live through Christ Jesus.

Romans 13 is a charge to clothe ourselves with Christ Jesus and live as his children in this present world. We are to submit to authorities and to pay respect where it is due. We are to awake from our slumber and serve the Lord out of love showing that we are included in the light of the gospel.

Romans 14 encourages us to consider everything we do as if we are doing it for the Lord. It is a call to do what leads to peace and mutual edification within the body of Christ. We are not to condemn or look down on those who are weaker in faith, but be fully convinced of what is acceptable in our own minds, for everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Romans 15 stresses unity within the body of believers. We are to take the encouragement from the scriptures and Christ as our example in how we live accepting one another. Paul reminds us that we are competent ministers of the gospel taking in and internalizing the amazing grace that was covered in the previous chapters. Now it is our job to share it with others.

Romans 16 is Paul's final farewell and instruction to the believers in Rome. He is affectionate toward them and gives final coaching to watch out for false doctrine and teachings and those who would cause division among them. He reminds them that Satan will soon be crushed under their feet and that His gospel is able to hold them until the day of Jesus.

As you can see this is an amazing book and will bless all who read, understand and enjoy this wonderful message of Jesus.

The book of Roman is a masterfully written exposition on grace. This letter to the believers in Rome has changed the hearts of many as they read and understand the wonderful truths nestled inside. Paul wrote this letter to these Christians to explain his revelation of grace. This revelation was not made of man but Paul received it directly from the Lord Jesus himself. "I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" ( Galatians 1:11-12 ). What Paul taught was beyond previous comprehension and understanding. Becoming a student of this letter will change your heart and bring you into a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Because Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles he wrote to this church to settle a dispute between the Messianic Jews and the Gentiles. The church was a diverse group of people who had settled in Rome from other areas. There is no record of an a visit to this church by an apostle offering doctrinal teaching and guidance.  In fact many assume that these Christian had been in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given ( Acts 2 ). They spread and settled in Rome. The church was comprised of Gentiles who had converted from idol worship and devote Jews who believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Problems arose when the Jews urged the Gentiles to live as Jews and undergo the rite of circumcision. Because of Paul's mission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles he felt an obligation to write to this church and settle this dispute among them explaining in fullness the grace of God.

The book of Romans covers a multitude of topics including: grace, redemption, salvation by grace, being born again, the gospel, righteousness apart from the law, freedom from sin, eternal salvation, living by the Spirit and the love of God. Don't miss this incredible journey of faith.

Read a summary of each of the 16 chapters of Romans.

This book is about grace, how Christ has made us right with God. Believing in Him and accepting this wonderful gift is the only thing it takes on our part. This is the amazing truth that Christ came to this earth to share. The gospel is God's message of love, mercy and grace in the person of Jesus Christ. It is the good news that was hidden in the ages past and unknown until Jesus came to earth, as a man, to show us the love of the Father.

Through this word and through the person of Jesus Christ, we can know and understand God in an intimate way. Paul started this letter by declaring that the gospel was the "power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" ( Romans 1:16 ). So it is only fitting that as he closes this final chapter, he is reminding us that this proclamation of Christ was manifest so that "all nations might believe and obey him". The gospel truly is the power of God that can unwrite, all the wrong, ever done in this life. All we need to do is believe in Jesus and this unlocks the power of God for our eternal salvation.

I can imagine how the Apostle Paul felt as he finished up this amazing letter to the church in Rome. Knowing what it contained must have given him incredible pleasure. These wonderful truths had been recorded and plans were made to send it to the ends of the earth. He must have felt relief and joy knowing that the course of people's lives would be changed by reading these words and understanding the revelation of grace that he held onto. I wonder if he had a glimpse of the magnitude of impact this letter would have on the many people who have since read it. Did he know how many lives beyond his time and influence would be touched as he closed this letter with a wonderful exhortation to the only wise God and the glory of Jesus.

I can relate in a very small way to what Paul must have felt, as I have spent the past year of my life studying this incredible book. I have recounted the revelation which the Lord has given me in this blog.  I've received comments, emails and personal testimonies from my readers and have been blessed and encouraged by each one, knowing that these words, written by Paul, continue to bring freedom to everyone who reads and understands them.

As I close this chapter and finish this wonderful blog on the book of Romans I am forever changed by the grace I have been given through Jesus. I am so thankful that the Lord has chosen me to write this commentary. And now I commend you to this gospel of grace, that you may be rooted and established in it. May God's grace and mercy carry you through this life and equip you for the next. To God be the glory both now and forever, amen!

Did you know that you are not bound to the Old Testament Law as a born again believer? This comes as a shock to many Christians who have made a practice of abiding by the Ten Commandments their whole lives. However, in the previous chapters of Romans, Paul clearly taught that the Law is what strengthened sin in us and arouses in us the need for a Savior. The entire Old Testament Law can be used to point us to Christ. With Christ, we have been freed from the power of sin. Therefore Paul is instructing us to offer the parts of our body to God as instruments of righteousness ( Romans 6:13 ). This is based on the New Covenant and the righteousness we obtained through Jesus. Because we are righteous under this covenant of grace we need to operate that way.

In today's passage Paul tells us that sin is not our master because of grace. While we were controlled by the old nature we were subjected to the Law as slaves. As Slaves under the Law, we experienced guilt, condemnation and wrath because we constantly failed to measure up to it. The Law also made sin come alive in our hearts ( Romans 7:9 ) and strengthened the power of sin against us ( 1 Corinthians 15:56 ), and that is why we needed a Savior, because it was impossible for us to do it on our own. However, if we choose to live and operate under the Old Testament Law as believers then we are choosing to remain in bondage to sin and forfeit the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. That is why we need to operate as New Testament believers who have been freed from the law.

Here is the good news for today: we are freed from sin and the bondage of the Law. So sin cannot master us. Understanding this freedom from both the Law and the control of our old nature is necessary to break free from the dominion of sin in our lives. When we understand that we are subjects of God's favor and mercy then we will operate that way, because what you believe is what you will do. Through the New Covenant we are under grace. That grace gives us the freedom to pursue Christ and a life of holiness will be the result. Not by works of the Law, but by being alive in Christ. When we live as though we are free of our old nature then we are living accordingly to the Spirit and we will see the fruits thereof.

Today, I pray that you understand all that is yours through the New Covenant by God's grace. I pray that you life reflects our Saviors in every way. Not by works, but because of a His grace. God bless you!

For more reading on the Purpose of the Law:
Romans 3:19-20 - The Purpose of the Law
Romans 3:21 - A Righteousness Apart From the Law
Romans 3:22-24 - By Faith We Are Justified Freely
Romans 3:28 - Justification Comes By Faith, Not Works
Romans 3:29-31 - Our Faith Uploads the Law

This is a valid question if you have ever heard the true gospel as Paul preached it. Throughout the book of Romans, Paul makes it abundantly clear, that we are completely justified by faith in Jesus. Justification means, that you are returned to a state that is just as if you had never sinned. God's grace completely covers each and every sin you have ever committed or will ever commit. The writer of Hebrews concurs with this amazing statement when he said, "But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." ( Hebrews 10:12-14 ) So if Jesus only made one sacrifice for all sins, for all humankind, for all time, then every sin, past, present and future has been paid for and forgiven. In other words, sin cannot keep you out of heaven, that barrier was bridged two thousand years ago. Sin is not an issue with God. Since God has provided the means and the way to him through his son Jesus, the only thing that can keep you out of heaven is unbelief. According to the gospel, The only thing required of us, is that we must accept this free gift of grace by faith in order to be translated into the kingdom of heaven. At that time, God puts his born again spirit inside of us and this is where the transformation of righteousness takes place. (for more reading on this, please visit these blog posts: Romans 2:12-13 - Being Declared Righteous Before God, Romans 3:21 - A Righteousness Apart From the Law, Romans 3:25 - The Sacrifice of Atonement, Through Faith in His Blood)

This righteousness through trusting in Jesus as your personal savior has been the theme of the entire book of Romans up until this point. That is the gospel, the true gospel, the gospel in which Paul preached. So if you know that the sins of the entire world have been eradicated by Jesus, then the question naturally arises...does that mean, it is okay for me to continue on in sin? Unless you ask this question, chances are you haven't heard the entire gospel as Paul preached it.

Paul's answer... an emphatic NO! Paul's logic? We can't continue in something that we have died to. We were dead under the law by the accusation and guilt that permeated us. However, Christ made us alive through faith. ( Colossians 2:13-15, Ephesians 2:5 ) Christ defeated and triumphed over the sin nature and because of it, when we were born again, he replaced our default nature with his nature... pure, holy and righteous. ( II Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 4:24 ) Since we died to the old nature, we have no obligation to it to continue operating as if we belonged to it. ( Romans 6:11, II Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:20 ) Therefore, we cannot continue in sin because it is completely foreign to our new nature which is the nature of Christ.

Our born again spirit is where we have the nature of Christ. Trouble arises if we look to the natural realm for Paul's statement to make sense instead of the spiritual realm. We may look around and see the effects of sin and the daily struggle with sin, then question the validity of Paul's statement. If the sin nature is still so apparent in our lives, how can Paul's statement be true? To understand this concept we have to understand the what part of our make up Paul is talking about. Paul is talking about our born again spirit. That is the part of us that has been completely sanctified, sealed and redeemed at the time we accepted Christ as our savior. If we see evidence of the old nature or sin nature, then we are looking into our soulish realm and focusing on the flesh instead of what is in our born again spirit. This difference between our spirit, our soul and our body is a key factor to understanding this passage.

To defeat sin in our natural realm we must overcome it by living by the spirit. The Bible stresses the difference between living in the flesh rather than living according to the spirit. Paul says that we have died to sin, and since is no longer our nature, we cannot continue in it. He is talking about our born again spirit. Even though we see in the natural realm our struggles with sin, the spiritual side trumps the physical side of our being. Reality is not our struggle with sin, reality is that we have victory over sin and that victory exists in our born again spirit. To bring further clarity to this, lets look at Romans 8 says, "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" ( Romans 8:5-9 ) So if we are struggling with sin instead of experiencing life and peace, then we are not living according to the spirit or living out of our new nature.

How do we live by the spirit? By works? By resisting sin? By controlling your desire to sin? Absolutely not. Colossians 2:6 says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him..." ( Colossians 2:6 ) How did you receive the Lord? By works? By resisting sin? By controlling your desire to sin? No, you received the Lord by faith. So living by the spirit is living by faith. Another important key to living by the spirit is fellowshipping with the Lord and reading his word. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." ( Romans 12:2 ). Which means that renewing your mind in the Word brings effortless change causing the remnant of the sin nature upon your natural self to disappear. That is how you continue in faith and that is how you live by the spirit, and that is how you see the physical manifestation of the death of your old sin nature.

Today it is my prayer that "he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion" ( Philippians 1:6 ) and that journey encompasses faith in the Son. May you be blessed as you recognize grace to which you were called and the complete victory that is yours through Christ.

One of the most impressive perks of being called and chosen of God is that he calls us saints and we are completely righteous in His eyes. We have been designated for a consecrated life, holy and blameless before Him and because of this we can cleave to the abundant life that Jesus offers us. This abundant life is comprised of grace and peace.

Grace is unmerited, unearned favor and kindness. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Grace is God's favor upon us. Grace was the end result of Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross for us. He paid the price so we do not have to and so that we can stand before God in this grace, full of confidence and boldness to approach Him and come into relationship with Him.

Peace is perfected well-being, spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears. It is not getting agitated by the passions and moral conflicts of this world. Even in the midst of trials and hardship, we can abound in this transforming peace. The world cannot know it nor can it understand it because this is the peace that God offers us freely and it is ours through and by the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we are loved by God, we are called by Him and we are equipped with everything that we need to live richly in the midst of the world. And all of this comes through a personal and intimate knowledge of the one who has called us into the grace which we now stand. Nothing can separate us from this love and when we remain in Him, walking in knowledge of Him, nothing can remove us from this position either.

If you have experience the love of Christ, it is my prayer that you rest in the abundance of grace and peace that God has provided for you. Jesus said in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Recently at work, we have been conceiving a name for a new business endeavor. As we embark upon this task it is proving extremely difficult. We want a name that embodies our business philosophy, describes our services and provides insight both to what we value and to what we will deliver. We want our name to summarize who we are because a name says everything...

The same is true for our mission and calling as Christians. The name we have been given says everything. In Philippians 2, Paul tells us that God was so pleased with Jesus' redemptive work and so completely satisfied with His atonement for our sin that He gave Jesus the 'name above every name'. As Christians we also partake in the benefits of the association with that name. We are called Christians because our foundation and faith is built upon Jesus our rock and chief cornerstone. The name we bear says everything...

Grace is a beautiful thing and it is for Jesus' name's sake alone that we received it. Grace is unmerited, unearned favor and kindness. It is not something we can obtain on our own and It pleased Him and glorified Him to grant this grace to us when he redeemed us.

When we receive this grace we also received a commission to proclaim this good news and free gift to people everywhere. This mission is not an obligation but a privilege to glorify the very name that we have been called and saved by. Calling people from all walks of life into this new and living way of life stems from obedience to the word of faith we have heard, in accordance to the power and purpose of the name of Jesus.

Even as our new business name embodies everything we hold dear, the name of Jesus encompasses who we are and our purpose and mission of this life. Recognizing and calling upon the name of Jesus is the single most important thing you can do in life. Today, if you have never believed in, adhered to or trusted in that name, I pray that you will call upon it and receive the same grace of the many saints who came and called before you. Amen.

I find it amazing that the whole time, God's intention from the very beginning was to bestow grace upon mankind. This is truly the greatest story ever told. God didn't want to take any changes with his beloved creation, specifically humankind so he knew that to do this, salvation must be through grace.

The truth is, God always wanted relationship with us. His desired was a family. I Peter 1:20 tells us that Jesus was the spotless lamb chosen before the foundation of the world as the precious sacrifice for sin. His blood would be the atoning medium to bring us into right standing with God. Jesus was the promised Seed of Abraham. "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ." ( Galatians 3:16 )

So through Jesus, whether you are born into the natural line of Abraham or an heir to the promise through faith, the Bible says that Abraham is our father in the sight of God. God accomplished an amazing thing through the faith of one man. This man chose to believe God and because of it we share in the blessing that he obtained through faith. We choose to be a part of the family that God desired from the beginning and made possible through Jesus.

Today we can rest in the grace promised to Abraham, but provided through Jesus. It is by grace that we are saved and it has nothing to do with anything we can do. That my friend is wonderful news! That is why it is called the gospel or ‘almost too good to be true news!' Today I praise God that he has provided the means, the payment and the way to him through fulfillment of that promise.

What a marvelous statement! If anyone questioned living by faith in Jesus, as opposed to living according to their own works, this verse should settle the matter. "For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. " ( Romans 4:14-15 )

Did you know that the Law released the wrath of God against mankind? We either live under the grace of God and his provision of salvation and the reconciliation of peace bought for us. Or we remain under the letter of the Law, depending upon our own self-righteousness. It cannot be both, it is either or. The Law brings death but the promise brought life. So how does the Law enslave those who choose to live under it, and release the wrath of God.

To answer this, we have to understand why the Law was given. Previously, in Romans chapter 3, we discussed in detail the purpose of the Law. In summary, the Law was given to kill, ( II Corinthians 3:7 ) to condemn, ( II Corinthians 3:9 ) and the Law is what strengthened sin in our lives. ( I Corinthians 15:56 ). Because of this, the Law can never reconcile us to God because it weakened us.

The purpose of the Law was to show us what sin was and point us to Christ. When the Law was given, it aroused sin within our heart. Just like a child who is told not to do something, as the very command is issued, the child is driven to go against restraint and towards disobedience. In the same way, the Law showed us what sin was. So it only stands to reason that apart from the Law, sin has no power, because it does not arouse the desire to go against it. Paul said the same thing in Romans 7:8, "But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead."

While we were under the Law, we were enemies of God. So the Law brought us wrath. Romans 5:10 says, "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" So the good news is that while we were enemies, Jesus defeated and fulfilled the Law and bought us peace with God.

When we live by faith in what Jesus did for us, then according to Romans 6:14, we are no longer under law but under grace. So now that the obligation to the Law has been broken, we do not transgress the law by sinning. Paul did a marvelous job of summarizing it by saying, "...because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. " Romans 4:15

Today, may you rest in knowing that you are at peace with God by trusting in Jesus as your savior. He has redeemed you from the curse of the law. No longer do we live at enmity with God, instead we call him friend and Father.