Setting You Up

Before Pastor Jim began his sermon this mornimg, he warned us that he was setting us up. Not liking surprises himself or times when he feels put on the spot, he was just being thoughtful. Then here comes the wind-up, then, the pitch, to mix sports metaphors, as you will see, and he says leadingly, "Are you ready for some_____ ?(fill in the blank)? Some of the congregation plays along with a half-hearted answer of "football", knowing this had to be the wrong answer, but also realizing that today is the beginning of the pro football season. Jim says, "...Romans!"

Romans is the grand First Epistle of the Bible and the content discusses such issues as faith, righteousness, justification, how to tell the counterfeit from the genuine spiritually, as well as spiritual gifts, and how to interract with fellow believers in times of disagreement. We must keep our hearts in unity against all unrighteousness in the most loving, yet tenacious manner, preotecting each other by renewing our minds and sharing our faith. [Think about it this way: Christ set us up (in a good way), where we do not have to fall down never able to get up again, in a spiritual sense. He is our righteousness, and we look to Him for whom we are, and for whom we desire to be, in response to His love.]

Since no one but Christ Himself has been able to keep spiritual tenets perfectly, our example continues to be His life, not leaving us off the hook, but spurring us on in living out the laws of love and faith, in which we would not go against the Ten Commandments. Realizing His love and all-covering forgiveness allows us to continue doing good things, thus giving all glory to God, the Father, who is worthy of all praise.

Keep on walkin', son,
You'll get there soon enough.

Kiva