- Written by Steven Amis
“Come on! You can do it! You’re almost there!” the bystanders shout as I near the end of a competitive road race. As a distance runner, I know how agonizing the last mile always is, when everything inside of me wants to slow down, catch my breath, and give my battered legs a much-needed break. Yet, I somehow manage to push even harder, knowing that the finish line is quickly approaching and will soon be within my line of sight. I know that once I cross that finish line, all the pain and displeasure will be immediately replaced with feelings of joy and satisfaction from completing the race and receiving the reward. Whether it is a personal record time, a medal of completion, or an age group award, there is a goal in mind for every race participant, and he/she will willingly and patiently endure whatever agony it takes to obtain it.
- Written by Steven Amis
The book of Romans has many wonderful and memorable passages, and the “golden chain” of salvation in chapter 8 is undoubtedly one of its key highlights. And what a glorious chain it is…all of it points to God as the sole initiator of our salvation! But, there is also another “chain” of salvation that Paul elaborates on later in his epistle which focuses more on the human side of salvation. In other words, the chain of salvation in chapter 8 emphasizes the eternal perspective of our salvation, whereas the chain of salvation in chapter 10 is more focused on our salvation from our temporal experience. Here, Paul writes these remarkable words:
- Written by Steven Amis
For all of eternity, before He created the universe, the earth, its inhabitants, and the angelic hosts, the Triune God enjoyed perfect contentment within Himself. The Father and the Son enjoy one another with a perfect love that is mediated by the Holy Spirit. No created thing surpasses the beauty and greatness of this fellowship within the Godhead. Yet, out of His abundant love for us, He chose to create a world in six days, form a man out of the ground, breathe life into his nostrils, and place him in a garden. Not only that, but He even commissioned him to “be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). He did all of this for one purpose: that a whole race of human beings would experience the joy of being in a relationship with the Creator, all to the praise of His glory. Because of the Fall, the perfect relationship we once enjoyed with God was broken. We became criminals in the eyes of God and deserved to be punished. There is nothing we could do within our own ability to legally remove our guilt. As fallen humans, the only way we can ever hope to have a restored relationship with God is if He gives us mercy and grace while also satisfying the justice that He demands for our crimes. God, in a wonderful display of His wisdom, ultimately accomplished exactly that when he sent His Son into the world to die on a cross in order to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We can be forgiven of our sins when we repent, put our faith in Jesus Christ, and be reconciled to God.