Listening to the Word

Revelations 19-22   “’…the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)…’Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” Revelation 19:7-9 I approach every New Year with expectancy of Christ’s return and the wedding banquet he has prepared. Our clothing of righteousness is a gift of grace we can never earn, as is our invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb. In response to this grace, we have the privilege of participating in the good works Christ has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Our righteous work, in response to Christ’s workmanship in us, brings glory to God. As we anticipate a new year full of opportunities to bring glory to God, let’s surrender every distraction and lesser goal in our lives to the Lord. A wedding is coming and we are being prepared. “Lord Jesus, I offer myself to you, to be made read

Revelations 15-18   ”Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Revelation 16:15 Shame is a powerful force in the world. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God they felt shame and wanted to cover themselves. God provided the skins of animals for Adam and Eve. This was the first blood that was shed to atone or cover sin. Jesus shed his blood as a permanent sacrifice for sin. He offers us his righteousness as a robe to cover us. The spirit of Babylon also offers to cover us with the latest clothing and fashions. This world runs after these superficial solutions for shame. Jesus invites us to seek first his righteousness, and all these things - food, clothing, shelter - will be given to us. In the last days many will fall asleep like the five virgins who awoke without oil in their lamps when the Bridegroom returned. Blessed are those who he clothes with his righteousness and fills with

  Revelations 10-14   “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come…’” Revelation 14:6, 7 God has assigned angels to his Gospel mission team. Their task is to both assist those who are living on mission, sharing the Gospel to every nation tribe, and language, and to give direct proclamation themselves. Today, the thousands of Muslims throughout North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and elsewhere, who are receiving dreams of Jesus, are the recipients of this angelic mission activity. The clarity of the message from the harvest angels is an encouragement to us who live in a politically correct culture where ‘fearing God’ and ‘judgment’ are rarely referred to. The Gospel is only good news when we understand the reality and severity of God’s judgment of sin and rebellion. Are we livin

Revelations 5-9 “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne…Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth;…The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons and idols…” Revelation 8:3, 5; 9:20 The intercession of God’s people before his throne, as they pray for their nations, will influence God’s actions on earth. Our prayers combine with incense and are an offering of worship before the throne of God. However, this same incense censer filled with holy fire, once hurled to the earth, releases God’s judgment of sin. Just as God used Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others to intercede before his altar, so also, the Church has been invited to cooperate with God’s salvation purposes and judgment of sin. With Isaiah, the coal fr

  Revelations 1-4   “…from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth…To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-” Revelation 1:5; 2:26 Jesus’ last words to his apostles were, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18, 19). Living on mission with Jesus requires that we understand this authority that is greater than any earthly ruler or nation. As ambassadors of Christ we engage the powers of our world, but our allegiance is to a higher authority, the Lord Jesus Christ. Every earthly sovereign king, queen, or elected politician will one day bow their knees before the King of kings. Those, who in the power of the Spirit overcome testing, temptations, the sin of the world, the sinful nature, and the devil,   will be given authority over nations in the coming age. Christ’s second coming is a prom

Psalms 117; 119: 81-176; 2 John; 3 John   “I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!...My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” Psalm 119:102, 103, 148 David’s capacity to listen to the living Word of God came through the anointing of God’s Spirit on his life. David was taught by the Spirit to listen and obey even when his circumstances were life-threatening and he was living like a fugitive. In challenging seasons of his life, David became more attentive to God’s promises and Word, not less. Like honey, God’s living Word is sweet and will flavor our thoughts and brighten our perspective throughout the day or night. Meditating on God’s promises, principles, and paths is strengthening to our spirit, soul, and body. In an age when so much negative messaging immerses us, we must fight to clear our minds and meditate on what is true, what is pur

  1 John 1-5   “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life…so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:1, 3 A relationship with Jesus Christ must be experienced, not just studied or discussed. John was a disciple of Jesus before he was an apostle. If we, too, are to live on mission with Jesus, we, too, must hear, see, and experience a loving relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. What we share with others, with conviction, must be true in our lives first. All over the world, people are leaving their worship of idols, spirits, and performance-based religions to know Jesus in loving relationship through the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus came. This is the incarnation we celebrate at Christmas.   If it’s real in our lives, who is God inviting us to tell to

John 19-21   “So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks on his hands…I will not believe it.’ A week later…Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands…Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:25-28 Doubt and fear rob faith in our lives. Our scientific, materialistic, rationalistic, western worldview requires empirical proof to establish fact. John’s gospel was written as an eye witness account that we might believe in Christ. However, many like Thomas require personal proof of the reality of God in this world. The stories of healings, provision, protection, and faith in others are not enough. Jesus’ word to Thomas was direct, ‘Stop doubting and believe!’ We have a choice.   Will we rebuke doubt and receive Christ’s peace this day? Jesus promises to bless those who have not seen

  John 15-18 “My prayer is not for them [disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20, 21 The Lord Jesus has prayed and is praying for us today. His prayer for us who know him is that we would be one Body and one Church, united in our knowledge and love of Christ. The only way that oneness is possible is if we are in fellowship with Jesus Christ and God the Father through the Holy Spirit. Our unity as the Church is predicated by our unity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - one God. How do we practically live in God each day? We listen and obey his living Word. We love God with all we are and we love those around us as we have been loved by God. The world will believe in the divinity of Jesus by the testimony of our fellowship with God and with each other as Christ followers. Can

John 12-14   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 What makes the peace of Christ different from the peace of this world? The world’s peace is either the absence of conflict, or a negotiated settlement based on compromise between parties in conflict. The world’s peace can leave us empty and fearful, even while we live in peace. Christ’s peace is radically different. This peace is found in the very presence of Christ himself indwelling us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our peace. The reality of Christ’s presence drives out fear and anxiety even in the midst of conflict. We can enter conflict as peace-makers because our peace comes from another place. We can love our enemies because we ourselves have been loved by God even though we were once his enemies. Will we invite Jesus to fill us with his peace? “Lord Jesus, renew your peace in me and use me to point others to y

  John, 9-11   “The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:2-4 Jesus, our good Shepherd, expects us to learn and know his voice. He promises to call us by name and lead us if we choose to follow him. If we belong to Jesus, we will listen to his voice. If we are not listening to his voice and being led by his Spirit, we must question whether we belong to him. Jesus is a shepherd who leads from the front. He is leading us in all things and expects us to listen and obey his Word. Does this picture describe how we live our lives? Have we replaced Jesus with something/someone else in the orientation of our lives? Are we submitting to Jesus’ leading in our lives? Will we run to him? “Lord Jesus, you are my leader and my Shepherd.

John 7-8 “…The right time for me has not yet come; for you anytime is right…If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own…I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 7:6, 17; 8:28, 29 Jesus listened to his Father’s voice every day and lived in loving surrender and obedience to his Father. Through the Holy Spirit that same privilege is ours today. Knowing the voice of our Father requires a relationship with him. Listening to God begins with the full surrender of our life and will to him. Listening to the Word is not a skill to be learned, but rather, it is a relationship to be loved. Listening to God requires us to wait on him and his timing. Jesus waited thirty years for public ministry and then waited on his Father’s timing for everything. We, too, must learn to wait on God rather than expect

  John 5-6 “…the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who has sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.” John 5:36-38 The Word of God is understood through the revelatory work of the Father in our lives as we have faith in his Son. The Father testifies to his Gospel through the life and work of Jesus and the ongoing revelation of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is not just a book we read or conversation we have. The Word of God is Jesus, living within those who place their faith in his Gospel. Listening to the Word then brings the ongoing revelatory work of the Father in us by his Son, through his Spirit. Our faith in Christ both reveals Gods’ Word and invites the Word to indwell us. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live within us through the living Word of God.

John 2-4 “’Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,’ Jesus told him, ‘you will never believe.’ The royal official said, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ Jesus replied, ‘You may go. Your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed…Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he and all his household believed.” John 4:48, 49, 53 Did Jesus do miracles because people believed, or so that they would believe? Jesus’ statement that “unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe”, was a rebuke not an affirmation. The royal official took Jesus at his word when Jesus said his son would live, and he departed for home without Jesus. For a day, this father walked by faith in Jesus’ word to him without confirmation of the outcome. The world has seen many miracles without faith. This father approached Jesus with faith and he left with faith in Jesus’ word. Are we also approa

  2 Peter 1-3; John 1 “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:…” 2 Peter 1:1, 2 I love the clarity with which Peter understood his identity and values in Christ’s kingdom. Simon was the name his parents gave him; Peter was the name Jesus gave him. Do we know our name? Has Jesus given us a new name? Although a pillar in the early Church, Peter understood he was a servant first and an apostle second. Are we clear on our call as servants first, before any other title or role? What was most valuable to Peter and to us, next to our relationship with Jesus, is the faith we have received. Without faith we cannot please God. Faith is a gift we receive which we put to active use every day as we exercise the gifts of the Spirit in our mission assignments. Faith secures our inheritance in Christ’s kingdom. Faith is the key which unlocks our gifts and inheritance in the

1 Peter 1-5   “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 Christ’s atoning death for our sins was not just to free us from death, but that we might really live. We are now freed from the power of sin so that we can die to sins and live for righteousness. What does it mean to die to sins and live for righteousness? In the power of the Holy Spirit we can flee temptation, resist the devil, and choose not to love the world. Instead, we can live for Christ who is our righteousness. It is Jesus who makes us righteous before God, and shows us what a right relationship with the Father looks like. It is Jesus who heals our diseases and frees us from the curse of sin. It is Jesus who is our Shepherd and the Overseer of our souls. Eternal life begins through faith in his atonement for our sin and continues when our spirit returns to the One who gave us life through his death. “Lord Je

  James 1-5   “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.” James 1:9, 10 Where do we find our self-worth and identity? The writer of James encourages those who are financially poor in the eyes of the world to take pride in their high positions in the Church and in God’s kingdom, while the wealthy should take pride in their opportunities to humble themselves. To “take pride in” could also be translated “to celebrate”. In the light of eternity and eternal values, our earthly wealth, status, or positions of service in the Church are like “dust in the wind”, or wild flowers. What God values are our faith, hope and love as expressed in a relationship of obedience with him. Perseverance in the journey of discipleship in mission will be rewarded eternally. “Lord Jesus, I surrender my earthly status and resources to you, trusting your kingdom values an

Hebrews 12-13; Jude “…they are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Jude 4 How we respond to God’s grace and authority in our lives reveals our heart and our spiritual maturity. When the grace of God becomes a license for immorality, we have scorned the holiness of God. We have deceived ourselves by thinking we can know him on our own terms. Responding in humility and submitting to God’s Word and loving authority in our lives, positions us to not abuse the grace of God. We might look religious on the outside, but Jude’s letter reminds us that eventually our heart will be exposed. The early Church was being infiltrated by leaders looking to exploit and manipulate others. Jude’s pastoral letter was a call back to purity and obedience to Christ through the Holy Spirit. In what ways are we being called to contend for the faith and remain in God’s love? “Lord Jesus, keep my heart surrendered to your lo

Hebrews 9-11 “…Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him…he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God…they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 9:28; 11:10, 16 Are we anticipating heaven? Our salvation includes much more than the forgiveness of sin. Jesus’ second coming will bring salvation to those who are waiting for him - salvation from this earthly body of sin, salvation from death, salvation from living for ourselves. Abraham experienced salvation as did Moses, David, Samuel, and a host of others who lived for God and his eternal kingdom. They were longing for a better country and looking forward to an eternal city. Are we living with this kind of anticipation, or are we content with our v

Hebrews 5-8 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 Our salvation is fully dependent on Christ’s death and resurrection. He lives forever as our eternal high priest, our mediator, and our intercessor. He is able to both save completely and forever those who come to God through him. Christ’s intercession for us is not dependent on our sacrifices or our worthiness, but on his covenant with us. The only way we are able to possess our eternal inheritance is through this covenant with God through the blood of Christ. Christ’s intercession for those he has covenanted with is eternal and the access through which we approach God’s throne of grace boldly to find help in our time of need. We approach God boldly and with faith in what Christ has done for us in salvation and with faith that he speaks in our defence. Our salvation is not in doubt. “Lord Jesus, thank you for your salvation and intercessi

Philemon; Hebrews 1-4   “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away…how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?...” Hebrews 2:1, 3 Our tendency in life is to drift away from resolutions, disciplines, and anything that is costly to apply. The great salvation offered to us by Christ is more than a one-time sin-exchange. This great salvation is an invitation into relationship with Jesus, the Living Word, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The invitation is to pay careful attention to what we have heard from God and what we are hearing from God so that, in surrender, we will daily rest in him. As we follow Jesus, the Spirit of God applies the written Word of God to our hearts personally and keeps calling us back to obedience and mission. If we ignore God’s Living Word, we drift. Are we listening in faith and obedience? “Lord Jesus you are the Word and the Lord of the harvest. Lead me into greater fruitfulness and faithf

2 Timothy 1-4 “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes…Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:20-22 We’ve been given responsibility to guard our own heart, like a house. Jesus has saved us and called us to live a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9). We’ve been given the cleaning supplies and empowerment to resist temptation and flee from sin. Our heart, like our home, is the sacred space of communion with God. We are invited to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace in this sacred place so that our heart to heart communion with God is pure and pleasing to him. God will not commune with us in a dirty, odorous heart full of bitterness, anger, quarreling, and lust. House cleaning is so we can enjoy th

  1 Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3   “…these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family…If anyone teaches false doctrines…He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words…” 1 Timothy 5:4; 6:3, 4 In Paul’s letter to Timothy he instructed a younger pastor to refocus the Church’s attention on daily discipleship and loving relationships in their immediate family and workplace, rather than debating doctrine and the relevance of Mosaic Law. Our faith in Christ must be expressed in our love for those closest to us, or our understanding of salvation becomes somehow inadequate. When salvation is defined as a body of knowledge or truth, we give mental assent, even debating this with others. We have not yet experienced the Holy Spirit’s deep conviction of sin and inner surrender of our will. A life of loving surrender to Christ is evidenced in our family relationships, integrity, humility, and love. Salvation must transform our heart

1 Timothy 1-4   “…command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor…endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work - which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:3-5 When correction or a rebuke is required for the sake of someone’s spiritual health or the health of the Church, motive is important and it will be quickly picked up by the recipient. Paul expressed the goal of his rebuke was love and his instruction came from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Those are a number of qualities for our own lives that we can talk about with the Lord, before we talk to others. It takes great humility, love, and courage to rebuke another disciple of Christ so that offence is not taken. Paul was counselling Timothy, and us, to do this well. A Church where no correction is offered is a Church that is vulnerable to deception, conflict, and immaturit

Colossians 1-4   “…All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras,…He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Colossians 1:6, 7; 4:12 The Gospel that was spoken through Epaphras in Colosse was bearing fruit and growing. Why? Paul pointed to the content of the Gospel itself as being full of grace and truth. He also pointed to Epaphras’ wrestling in prayer for the Church in Colosse although he was far away in Rome with Paul. Both the fruit of the Spirit and the numeric growth of the Church are evidences that the Gospel is transforming lives. Both God’s grace and uncompromising truth are contained in this transforming Gospel. Both proclamation and prayer are essential to the ongoing growth in the depth and breadth of the Church. Is our local expression of the Church g

Philippians 1-4   “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,” Philippians 1:3-5 Paul’s letter to Philippi from a prison cell was full of joy because his heart was full of thankfulness and gratitude. It’s the same joy that overflowed into worship in the prison cell in Philippi on the night the Church was birthed in that city. The Philippians knew a costly Gospel of full surrender because that was the foundation of their formation. The Philippian jailer and his family probably read this letter from Rome and recognized the same Spirit speaking to them as at their conversion. Would those who heard the Gospel from us many years ago recognize the same Gospel DNA in our life and story today? Are we full of gratitude and joy regardless of our circumstances? “Lord Jesus, thank you for your presence and the joy of salvation, for your glory.”

Ephesians. 5-6; Psalms 119; 1-80   “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church…” Ephesians 5:21, 25 Our reference point and motivation in loving and submitting to one another in the body of Christ and in our families is Jesus. We honor the living presence of Jesus within each other’s lives, and so we live with humility toward each other. In heaven we will no longer be husband and wife, but rather, brother and sister. This eternal identity in the family of God shapes our relationship patterns now. It is the authority of Jesus that provides the reference point in a Christian marriage and family. Although Christ Jesus had all authority, he humbled himself and became a servant of all. His sacrificial love toward us as the bride of Christ provides both the motivation and example for our love toward each other, in our marriages and in our families. “Lord Jesus, fill me with your l

  Ephesians. 1-4   “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,” Ephesians 2:13, 14; 3:10 God’s peace plan is a person, not a process of negotiated compromises. Jesus Christ offers us peace with God, the peace of God, and then peace with others including the power to love our enemies. Christ’s body on earth is the Church, the people of God who belong to him and respond to his authority as our head. In Christ’s body, the Church, both Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God. In the Church, every nation and people group on earth have the capacity to be reconciled to each other and live as ambassadors of Christ’s Gospel of peace on earth. This is the manifold wisdom of God ex

Romans 13-16   “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 To be hope-filled is in God’s very nature. As we fully trust him, he releases that hope into our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Both our trust in God and our hope are experienced through the power of the Holy Spirit. If we don’t know this empowering, living presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will lack hope, joy, and peace. Paul’s many dangerous journeys, imprisonments, beatings, and persecution did nothing to erode his hope, joy, and peace. Why? Hope for Paul and for countless Spirit-filled believers in Jesus after him, comes from the inside and not from external circumstances. We don’t hope in retirement funds, our health, our security, or any other external variable. Our hope comes from God through the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Are we hope-filled today? Ask God to be filled afresh wi

  Romans 9-12 “…’I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Romans 9:15, 16 Salvation is by grace alone. It is the mercy and kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Salvation is not the result of man’s effort, including the efforts of those who design mission strategies, training, and materials. Salvation is not even the mental assent to biblical truth. Salvation is a miracle of new birth and the fruit of God’s mercy, grace, and kindness to us. Our response to God’s mercy and grace is repentance and acknowledgment of our need of him. We live with eternal gratitude for what God has done for us in Christ. This is not a testimony of our readiness for salvation; it is of God’s love toward us while we were yet sinners. Have we experienced God’s mercy? Is that our testimony? “Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and mercy toward me. All I have is yours, for y

Romans 5-8   “…those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:14, 15 The righteous requirements of the law given to Moses, as applied by men, resulted in fear. For every law there were numerous applications governing every area of life. Jesus frequently pointed out the inconsistencies of these interpretations of the law and the heavy load of guilt they put on the backs of people trying to please God. Living under this law and never fully succeeding makes us a “slave again to fear”, fear that we will be punished by God for failing him. The Holy Spirit was given to completely change all of this. Instead of the law, we are invited into God’s family as sons and daughters who are led by the Spirit. We have conviction of sin and encouragement for obedience through the Holy Spirit. We boldly approach the throne of grace in the