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After eleven chapters explaining what God has done for us, Paul turns to how we should respond. He urges Christians to offer their whole lives to God as living sacrifices of woship. Rather than conforming to the patterns and values of the world, believers are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so they can discern and follow God's will. The life God wants for us is more than just believing the right things. The goal is not simply moral improvement but becoming people through whom God's love and grace are made visible.

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Paul continues his discussion of God's dealings with Israel by warning the Gentile believers not to become proud. Just as some branches were broken off because of their hard hearts, we are just as accountable for the condition of our hearts. Paul then reveals a mystery: Israel's present hardening is partial and temporary, and God's plan ultimately includes showing mercy to all. If we comprehend nothing else, we must understand that God's ways are often beyond our understanding and should move us to humility, gratitude, and ultimately, worship.

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Did God reject Israel because so many in Israel rejected the good news of Jesus? Paul answers with an emphatic, "No!" Paul points to his own faith as evidence that God has not abandoned his people and reminds his readers of Elijah's day, when God preserved a faithful remnant during a time when most people betrayed God. In the same way, God continues to save people by grace, not because of their works or achievements. No one earns a place in God's family, therefore our attitude should never be pride or judgmentalism but always humility and gratitude!

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Paul here reminds us that salvation is not earned through religious effort or moral excellence. It is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile or any people in this regard, as we all come to God through the grace of Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes the simplicity and accessibility of the gospel: those who confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead will be saved.

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Following Jesus can change what we believe, how we live, and even the kind of people we become.

But what about the people we still can't stand? What might they reveal about how much further we have to go?

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Most of us spend our lives trying to make a name for ourselves - to prove we're enough and to find where we belong. But what if the identity you've built isn't the one that matters most?

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Pouring gas into an electric car would be disastrous -- an engine needs proper fuel. In this flashback to November 18, 2024, we join Paul as he explores the kind of fuel that our new nature requires. Just as it would be disastrous to pour gas into an electric car, it would be similarly disastrous if those who are in the Spirit turn to the old fuel of the sinful nature, which leads to death rather than life. This most basic choice opens or closes the door to so many other important choices in our lives. Let's choose the right fuel!<...

Paul describes the painful inner struggle of wanting to do the right thing yet continuing to choose the wrong. This conflict reveals both the weakness of human effort and the weakness of God's Law itself! Because of this corrupting force living in us, even God's Law often just gives us new ideas about sins we never even considered before! This confession ends with Paul crying out for relief and then pointing to the answer: Jesus Christ. Though sin remains a reality in this life, ultimate victory comes not through willpower but through the saving power of Jesus.

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When we focus on God's Law, the underlying question is always, "How far is too far? How much can I sin and still be ok with God?" When we focus instead of God's grace, the underlying focus shifts to "Where can I find life?" In other words, the Gospel is about more than just forgiveness; it's about transformation. Because of our connection with Christ, we have a new identity and a new way of life. Though we still struggle with sin, it is no longer our master. In Christ, we have the power to follow Jesus into new life!<...

One of the great mysteries of humanity is that we are all connected. We all inherit our lives from common ancestors and there seems to be some sense in which whatever happens to one affects all. This connectedness makes us vulnerable to the sin that entered into the world through Adam. However, this connectedness also makes us open to the grace of God. When God became a human in Jesus, his grace became available to us all. What's more, the power of God's grace is far greater than the power of Adam's (and our) sin!

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Paul now describes the blessings that flow from our restored relationship with God. Because of Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. This healed relationship gives us reason to celebrate, even when facing difficult times. Instead of wondering if God is angry or punishing us, we can face hardship as an opportunity to grow in spiritual endurance, character, and hope. And when we are tempted to doubt God's love for us, we can remember that God has loved us at our worst and will not stop now!

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In this flashback to October 11, 2024, we see Paul continuing to address a congregation divided by spiritual pedigree and ethnicity. Despite their differences, Paul emphasizes that they all share a connection to God's law. Jews had the Scriptures and were educated to know the Lord from a young age. Gentiles, even without the written Law, have a sense of God's law written into their consciences. We thus all share a connection to God's law and we all share the experience of breaking that law. We therefore have no excuse to judge others!

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In introducing himself to the Roman church community that he has never visited, Paul also introduces the major themes of the good news of Jesus. Paul will address these themes throughout his letter in a way that speaks to the many problems of this mixed community of Jews and Gentiles. Whatever their differences, they are united by their common need for Jesus. We are not made right through our ancestry, our heritage, our morality, or any human effort or achievement. Instead, it is in faith that we find full life in God!

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As Paul finally arrives in Rome, we are able to reflect on many of the themes that converge in this moment. Despite Paul’s house arrest, we see the continuing fulfillment of Acts 1:8, that the message of Jesus would go out even to the ends of the earth. We also see the power of the Holy Spirit, accomplishing what no person could do on their own. And we also see, once again, that faithfulness to Jesus does not mean smooth sailing. Paul is still a prisoner, yet is free to bring the good news about Jesus into the heart of...

Two of the great symbols of evil in the ancient world were the sea and the serpent. Paul survives the sea in a shipwreck only to be immediately assaulted by the other, the bite of a deadly snake. The locals immediately suspect that justice has caught up to Paul. He may have survived the sea but he could not outrun his fate. The locals expect him to die. Instead, Paul is unharmed. What does this all mean? Why does Paul suffer such evils while living faithfully, and how should we respond when we face undeserved evil?

The entire book of Acts makes clear that following God does not guarantee smooth sailing. Paul's faithfulness to God meant being under arrest and sailing into literal storms, shipwrecks, and hardship. Jesus' promise was not that there would be no storm, but that he would be present and faithful through it. The peace Paul demonstrated came not from peaceful circumstances but from the presence of the God of peace with him. Even in life's troubled water, Jesus can be our anchor, our hope, and our peace.

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Talking about faith can feel awkward.

Say too much, and we risk pushing people away. Say nothing, and they may never know what has changed our lives.

What if there’s another way to share our faith - one that actually feels like love?

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In this flashback to August 9, 2021, we find the Roman governor Festus at a loss. He has to send Paul to Rome but cannot imagine what the charge might be. Thankfully, King Herod Agrippa shows up, one who is familiar with both the Roman world and the Jewish world. Sometimes, we need a Herod who can help connect the secular and sacred worlds. Without these folks who can speak both "languages," the message of Jesus can be lost in translation.

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In this Throwback Thursday from August 5, 2021, Governor Felix refuses to take action on Paul's case. In the end, Paul had to wait in prison for two years! Paul wanted to preach, to share the good news, and to complete his mission to Rome. Why would God allow Paul to languish in prison for two years when there was so much work to do? Perhaps for Paul and for us, choosing to wait can allow God to accomplish other important work in, for, and through us.

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(In addition to Flashback Fridays, this week will also feature a Throwback Thursday and a Wayback Wednesday. New devos will return next week.)

In this Wayback Wednesday from August 2, 2021, we see the Roman commander passing Paul off to Governor Felix like a hot potato, many miles away. Felix makes an attempt to pass Paul off as well, but he is unable to evade responsibility to judge Paul's case. No matter who is in power, they all serve God's will -- that Paul will be safely delivered to Rome to be God's witness there.

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As Paul stands before the Jewish council, he begins by stating that he has lived before God with a clear conscience. This angers the high priest, who orders Paul to be struck. Paul then shifts the discussion to the issue of the resurrection of the dead, a belief that divides the council: Pharisees who believe in the resurrection vs. Sadducees who reject the idea. The debate quickly escalates and the Roman commander removes Paul from the council. That night, the Lord appears to Paul and encourages him that he will now have the opportunity to testify not just in...

Standing before an angry crowd in Jerusalem, Paul shares his testimony of encountering Jesus. He explains how he was once a zealous persecutor of Christians, convinced that he was serving God by opposing the followers of Jesus. Paul then recounts his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and how his life was completely transformed. The crowd listens attentively until Paul mentions God's mission to the Gentiles, at which point many become enraged and call for his execution! God's love can turn enemies (like Paul) into friends, and love pays that price.

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It's easy to have faith when nothing is at stake.

The real question is: what happens when your faith is challenged?

Maybe those moments reveal what you've been trusting all along.

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In this flashback to July 20, 2021, we listen in as Paul meets with the Ephesian leaders for the final time. He reminds them of the example and words of Jesus, that "It is better to give than to receive." After Paul left, people would come who would seek to fleece the flock but Paul reminds them of how a true shepherd lays his life down for the sheep, just like Jesus, and just like Paul had done for them. When we look at the world, do we notice the opportunities to give, or the opportunities to take? The choice matters...

After the unrest in Ephesus subsides, Paul continues his missionary journey, traveling through Macedonia and Greece to encourage and strengthen believers. In Troas, Paul teaches late into the night, and a young man named Eutychus falls asleep, falls from a window, and is presumed dead. Paul embraces him, and God restores his life, and Paul resumes teaching until dawn! Despite the demands and dangers of ministry, Paul remains focused on encouraging others and faithfully carrying out the mission God has given him, especially as he senses that he has little time and few opportunities left.

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As the gospel continues to spread throughout Ephesus, its impact begins to affect the city's economy and identity. Demetrius, a silversmith who profits from making shrines of the goddess Artemis, stirs up opposition against Paul, fearing that the growth of the church will undermine both their trade and their identity as the city of Artemis. Eventually, the city magistrate calms the crowd and the disturbance ends. Jesus' gospel often challenges deep cultural values and personal interests, requiring both wisdom and faith to navigate.

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When Paul arrives in Ephesus, he meets a group of disciples who know only the baptism of John. After explaining the full message about Jesus, Paul baptizes them in the name of the Lord Jesus, and they receive the Holy Spirit. Given the significance of the earlier events with the Spirit, what might this group signify? Later, others come who try to use the name of Jesus to perform similar miracles but one evil spirit rebuffs their effort, saying, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but I don't know you!" Jesus is not a good luck charm. Rather...

When Paul arrives in Corinth, he meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who become his close partners in ministry. Paul works alongside them while continuing to share the gospel in the synagogue each week. As opposition from some Jewish leaders increases, Paul focuses his efforts on the Gentiles, and many people in Corinth come to faith in Jesus, including Crispus, the leader of the synagogue. In the midst of challenges, the Lord encourages Paul in a vision, telling him not to be afraid but to keep speaking because God is with him and has many people in the city...

It's easy to notice the loudest voices, the biggest personalities, and the most obvious needs. But who are we overlooking? What if following Jesus begins with learning to truly see the people everyone else misses?

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In this flashback to July 1, 2021, Paul chooses to suffer in order to protect others. Romans citizens could not be beaten without first receiving a trial. Non-citizens received no such protections. Paul and Silas had not only been beaten, but stripped naked to humiliate them -- but Paul and Silas were Roman citizens! Why did they not bring up this fact BEFORE being stripped and bloodied?! Apparently, Paul had intended all along to use his privilege as a citizen to shield, not himself, but the fledgling church. Faced with such a scandal, these magistrates would not dare to bother the...

As Paul begins a new missionary journey, he invites Timothy to join him in the work of spreading the gospel. Together with Silas, they travel through various regions, strengthening the churches and sharing the decisions made by the Jerusalem council. Along the way, the Holy Spirit prevents them from going to certain places, directing them instead toward Macedonia through a vision given to Paul. Recognizing God's guidance, they immediately set out for this new field of ministry. In Philippi, they meet Lydia, a merchant whose heart the Lord opens to respond to the message of Jesus. Not only are...

After reaching a decision regarding Gentile believers, the apostles and elders send a letter to the churches along with trusted leaders to communicate their conclusions. Later, Paul suggests revisiting the churches they had previously planted, but a sharp disagreement arises between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take John Mark with them. Unable to agree, they separate and form two ministry teams: Barnabas takes Mark, while Paul travels with Silas. Unity through the Spirit is perhaps the central theme throughout Acts but it is not always a simplistic unity. Despite their differences, Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark are able...

As more Gentiles come to faith in Jesus, a serious disagreement arises in the church. Some believers insist that Gentiles must follow the Jewish law to be saved. After several apostles share their testimony about the Holy Spirit's acceptance of these Gentiles, the leaders conclude that Gentile believers should not be burdened with additional requirements. Salvation comes from Jesus, not our national or ethnic identities, and not from our own goodness. Jesus is our salvation!

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While in Lystra, Paul heals a man who has been unable to walk since birth. The crowd is amazed and mistakenly concludes that Paul and Barnabas are gods who have come down in human form. Paul and Barnabas urgently reject this praise, directing the people instead to the living God who created all things and provides for their needs. Soon, however, opposition arrives from other cities, and the same crowd that once wanted to honor Paul turns against him and stones him, leaving him for dead. Yet Paul survives and remains just as dedicated to spreading the news about...

Most of us aren't trying to deceive people; we're just trying to protect ourselves. But what if the masks that make us feel safe are also keeping us from the kind of community we're longing for?

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In this flashback to June 10, 2021, we see Herod Agrippa being treated like a god by those who sought his favor. Unlike a god, Herod was undeserving and quickly discovered just how mortal he was. Are we so different from Herod? While we might not seek worship, do we seek undue credit for what God does in and through us? Like Moses, do we conceal the diminishing glory that is sometimes visible in our lives? Herod should have served God and others but pursued glory for himself instead. So unlike Herod, Jesus deserved glory but came as a servant. The...

After Cornelius and his household receive the Spirit, you might think it would be cause for celebration. Instead, Peter is criticized for not keeping his distance from such Gentile outsiders. Peter then explains God's miraculous involvement in the matter. Should Peter, or anyone, oppose God's own choice? Meanwhile, believers scattered by persecution continue sharing the gospel, and many people come to faith in Antioch. Many of these new believers know nothing of the books of Moses or the prophets so Barnabas enlists the help of Saul, the one who had formerly persecuted many of those same believers! Together they...

When Peter arrives at Cornelius' house, Peter shares the good news about Jesus — his life, death, and resurrection. The Jewish believers who accompanied Peter are amazed when these non-Jewish people receive the same Spirit they had received at Pentecost. Seeing this clear evidence of God's work, Peter orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. God's greatest gift is for all people and anyone who receives Jesus in faith is welcome in the family of God.

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The next step in God's plan involves bringing together two very different men: a Roman centurion named Cornelius and a Jewish apostle named Peter. Both receive visions from God that push them to cross many miles and the even more significant barriers of culture, ethnicity, status, and political divides. After all, the Jewish people were living under Roman occupation. The Holy Spirit leads and both men obey, leading to one of the most significant and powerful encounters in the entire story of the book of Acts.

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After his dramatic encounter with Jesus, Saul grows increasingly bold in proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah. As opposition against him intensifies, some of his enemies plot to kill him, forcing him to escape the city with the help of fellow believers. When Saul arrives in Jerusalem, many disciples are understandably hesitant to trust him because of his former persecution of Christians. However, Barnabas steps forward to testify about Saul's genuine conversion and ministry. Anger and pride might help to destroy an enemy, but love can turn enemies into friends, and even family!

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