Grace in the Center of Our Relationships

Paul said in Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

But something else was taking place in this community of believers. Paul asks 2 very penetrating questions: "So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer?"

Yeah, why do we? Why is there the fleshly and human tendency to defend our version of the truth, our opinion, our perspective, even if it means condemning and judging others in the process? Doesn't sound like goodness, peace, and joy, does it?

This Sunday we will explore what Paul teaches concerning what we have termed "Christian liberty." Paul bring grace right into the center of our relationships. Grace when someone gets under your skin; grace when someone has a different conviction than you do; grace when someone has an opposing opinion; grace when someone brings a pork tenderloin to the church potluck; and grace when someone graciously declines to eat it. He even takes it a step further by instructing us to deny ourselves of our Christian liberty if it makes another person stumble.

Ready to get practical, especially in our culture of convictions and opinions that fly around like mosquitoes over a stagnant pond? Come with an open heart and a surrendered spirit to how we can cultivate goodness, peace, and joy.

See you Sunday,

Jamie