Tag Archives: hope

The Narrow Door

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Don Merritt

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:24 Most everyone knows this passage (Luke 13:22-30) in which Jesus uses the metaphor of the … Continue reading →

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Romans Recap

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Don Merritt

With the previous post, we have completed the third main section of Romans found in Romans 6-8. The proposition that Paul set about to prove is: Grace gives us total victory over sin. As we saw in our tour of … Continue reading →

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God’s Love Assures Us of His Grace

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Don Merritt

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give … Continue reading →

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When I am Weak, He is Strong

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Don Merritt

We now continue in this section where Paul is making the point that grace gives victory over sin, and that victory is assured. As always, it seems to be one thing to say so, and another thing in daily life; … Continue reading →

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God’s Children

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Don Merritt

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by … Continue reading →

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The Solution to the Problem

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Don Merritt

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened … Continue reading →

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Paul Begins His Next Point

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Don Merritt

Romans 7:14-25 We are still in the third main section of Romans where Paul is proving that grace gives victory over sin. In his first supporting point, he has shown that any notion that grace makes sin unimportant is simply … Continue reading →

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Before we go any further…

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Don Merritt

…there is something you’ve simply GOT to read! I recognize that as we go through the book of Romans, my approach may seem unusual to many of you. In fact for some it may seem entirely strange. In all of … Continue reading →

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The Fall, Falling and Figuring Things Out

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Don Merritt

Romans 7:7-13 My normal practice here is to simplify the complex. If I am criticized for being too simplistic or basic in my explanation, I figure I’ve done my job. For this post, I’m going to do the opposite (just … Continue reading →

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Released from the Law

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Don Merritt

Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband … Continue reading →

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