Paul has laid out so far in Romans 1-3 that we have a debt to pay, and it is impossible to pay. Maybe something similar to coming out of college and post-grad work with $250,000 in debt, and you get a $10/hr job...and live in NYC. Impossible! The only hope is in redemption, an exchange, clearing, and forgiving of the debt we carry.
Read MoreRomans chapter 2 is a heavy chapter, and it is meant to be that way. It is the weight and reality that we are all sinners in need of a savior. ALL OF US. We read many times in Paul's words, “first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” To simplify this, think Jew = Religious, Gentile = Godless heathens. A vast spectrum, all in that spectrum, are sinners, apart from God without Christ. This is the case Romans chapter 2 is building.
Read MoreStudying quotes from famous leaders is very interesting. This quote has some debatable history, was it Abraham Lincoln’s or a made-up quote that came from the minds of a Disney producer. Nevertheless, it works perfectly for today's writing.
“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will” - Abraham Lincoln.
Read MoreMost don’t intend to be dangerous in their journey, but we must recognize our flaws and blind spots. We all have them, so we need to be careful how and when we speak with authority and know the damage that can be caused by our ignorance.
To understand the Gospel, and the transformative power of Jesus..
Read MoreI think about motives a lot—the importance of having pure motives and being in the right mindset with my motives. Eric Greitens, author of Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom from Living A Better Life, wrote something that really struck me, and I am processing it deeply.
Read MoreI do not believe we serve a God or follow a limited Gospel. This is not a zero-sum game where we are limited in what amount of love, passion, and compassion we can bring. The Gospel is ABUNDANT and complete. The Gospel is limitless and points us to an excellent example of Jesus’ life.
Read MorePaul, taking his queues from Jesus said, let me pay his debt. As we go into our day may we carry this with us, who around us is in some kind of debt, or bind? We have been set free by the beautiful grace and love of Jesus, and have something to offer. Because our debt has been paid in full, how can we spend that forward, and who’s debt can we cover today? Out of the overflow of love, we have in us, how can God use us today?
Read MoreThink about who you spend most of your time with, and who you have around you. Are they lifting you up, and encouraging you to be the best possible version of yourself? Choose your five wisely.
Read MoreWe have been transformed by Jesus and are a new creation in Him, but we should not forget who we once were. Those memories will serve us well to use for God’s glory, to share our story and our message with others, so that others can be inspired to do the same. Model it, because our faith should produce good works.
Read MoreLeaders, we must add CRO, Chief Reminding Officer to our email signature and name placards. CRO must become a core part of our leadership identity so it can flow from us freely and regularly. This is not a new concept that business leaders and authors are discovering, Paul knew this because Jesus modeled it.
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