Podcasts about god romans

The Righteousness of God Romans 9:30-10:13 Christ Church Kingwood June 21, 2026 Preacher: Patrick Wimberly

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Do you excuse things that contradict your faith? What is important to God doesn't have a label or a party. It is not a temporary term, nor can it be solved by human hands. Being true to Christ means standing for truth and justice and being honest about the temporary parties and candidates we may be supporting. The politics of the day are quick to point out the “sins” of one candidate but excuse the actions of the other. Consider these verses in John 8. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now, in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So, what do you say? This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And, as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is among you be the first to throw a stone at her. And, once more, he bent down and wrote on the ground. But, when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him (John 8:3-9). Behaving like the scribes and the Pharisees, are you excusing sin of a candidate in the name of perceived better alignment with your faith? This can be another indication that politics have become an idol. All sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Jesus calls us to recognize our own sins. I don't think it is a mistake the woman who committed adultery was standing one on one with Jesus when all the others had walked away. Jesus is the only judge and the only true “cure” for sin! How can you point someone toward salvation if you are excusing the sins of man in the name of winning? Instead of making excuses or comparing sins between parties, point out all sin is just that—sin in the eyes of God! There isn't one better or worse. While we know the woman in John 8 was an adulteress, we don't know the sins of the scribes and Pharisees. What we do know is they didn't challenge Jesus to make excuses for their sin being better or less than adultery! Focus on telling people how you pray for the candidate's recognition of their sin instead!

Cultural differences abound and have frequently led to pernicious points of conflict such as racism, ageism, generationalism, sexism. Paul acknowledged huge differences but concentrated on what we have in common—like “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Commonalities such as this far outweigh differences. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/508/29?v=20251111

Cultural differences abound and have frequently led to pernicious points of conflict such as racism, ageism, generationalism, sexism. Paul acknowledged huge differences but concentrated on what we have in common—like “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Commonalities such as this far outweigh differences. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/508/29?v=20251111

The Righteousness of God Romans 9:1-24 Christ Church Kingwood June 14, 2026 Preacher: Patrick Wimberly

The Unconditional Love Of God Romans 5:6-8

The Great White Throne Judgment: The Final, Dreadful, and Eternal Reckoning of the Wicked Dead   In the majestic and awe-inspiring closing visions of the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John, carried along by the powerful inspiration of the Holy Spirit, beholds a series of breathtaking scenes that unveil the final consummation of all things and the eternal destiny of every soul. Following the glorious thousand-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth, after the last desperate and futile rebellion of Satan, and after the complete and utter defeat of Gog and Magog with fire from heaven, the divine spotlight turns with solemn intensity upon the most terrifying and irreversible event in all of human history: the Great White Throne Judgment. This is the ultimate, final, and most dreadful courtroom of the entire universe, where every single soul that has ever died in unbelief, impenitence, and open rebellion against the living God will be supernaturally raised from the dead, solemnly examined with perfect scrutiny, and eternally sentenced according to the flawless, unerring, and infinitely holy justice of Almighty God. Revelation 20:11-15 stands as one of the most sobering, heart-shaking, conscience-piercing, and fear-inducing passages in all of Holy Scripture, a passage that should cause every reader to tremble and every unrepentant sinner to flee without delay to the mercy of the cross. The full text of this profoundly solemn and eternally weighty passage, as given in the inspired and infallible Word of God, reads as follows in its complete and unbroken form: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” This tightly woven, divinely inspired passage forms a self-contained and climactic unit that brings the entire millennial section of the Book of Revelation to its dreadful, everlasting, and irreversible close. It follows immediately after the final casting of Satan, the devil, into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. It stands just before the glorious and radiant unveiling of the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. The context is saturated with absolute finality, divine justice, and the irreversible nature of eternity. The redeemed saints of all ages have already participated joyfully in the blessed first resurrection and have reigned triumphantly with Christ for a full thousand years. Those who now appear trembling before the throne are precisely “the rest of the dead” who “lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:5). The old creation, stained and cursed by sin, is even now dissolving before our eyes, and every unsaved soul must now give a full, terrifying, and inescapable account before the burning, all-seeing holiness of Almighty God. Let us now carefully, reverently, and thoroughly exposit this passage verse by verse, drawing out its rich and multifaceted meaning through the original Greek language where it adds vivid force and eternal impact, through the surrounding biblical context, and through the weighty, soul-stirring eternal truths it so powerfully proclaims to every generation. The Scene (Revelation 20:11) “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” The apostle John begins this vision with the majestic and familiar apocalyptic declaration “And I saw” (Kai eidon), words that immediately signal the introduction of a fresh, breathtaking, overwhelming, and panoramic heavenly vision that seizes both the apostle's enraptured gaze and our own hearts with a profound sense of holy dread and reverent awe. What suddenly bursts upon his enraptured sight is nothing less than the supreme, final, and most glorious tribunal of the entire created universe: “a great white throne” (thronon megan leukon). This throne is described as megan—vast beyond all human imagination or comprehension, majestic in unrivaled dignity and splendor, and clothed with overwhelming, absolute, and unchallenged sovereign authority. It towers infinitely and eternally above every earthly court of law, every royal palace, and every seat of human government or power that has ever existed. It is leukon—brilliantly, purely, dazzlingly, and radiantly white—symbolizing in the most vivid way possible the spotless, unapproachable, and infinite holiness together with the flawless, unblemished, and perfect righteousness of God Himself.  No shadow of injustice, no whisper of partiality or favoritism, no trace of corruption or bribery can ever approach, touch, or stain its gloriously radiant surface. It glows and pulses with the blazing, consuming purity of the One who is eternally “light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Seated in awesome, majestic, and terrifying splendor upon this throne is “him that sat on it” (ton kathemenon ep' autou). Though not explicitly named in this particular verse, the consistent, harmonious voice of all Holy Scripture clearly identifies this enthroned and sovereign Judge as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself—the very One to whom the Father has committed all judgment without exception (John 5:22, 27).  It is the same pierced and crucified Savior who once hung in agony upon the cross as the meek and lowly Lamb of God, now appearing in indescribable glory and power as the exalted Lion of the tribe of Judah and the righteous, eternal Judge of all the earth (Acts 17:31). From His glorious and unveiled face—“from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (ephugen ho ouranos kai he ge apo tou prosopou autou)—the entire created cosmos recoils in utter panic-stricken terror and helpless flight. The powerful Greek verb ephugen paints a vivid, dramatic picture of frantic, desperate, and uncontrollable flight, as though the whole vast universe is fleeing away like a terrified servant before the blazing anger and consuming holiness of its rightful Master. The material heavens and earth, which have groaned and travailed together in pain for long ages under the heavy curse and bondage of sin (Romans 8:22), simply cannot endure or withstand the unveiled, searing, and infinite holiness of the incarnate Son of God. “And there was found no place for them” (kai topos ouch heurethe autois). No towering mountain can hide the guilty. No vast ocean can swallow them up or conceal their shame. No dark cavern, no remote corner of the universe, and no hiding place anywhere offers the slightest refuge or shelter. The old creation completely and obediently dissolves in trembling submission to make way for the new heavens and the new earth, soon to be revealed in all their pristine and eternal glory. Behold this scene in all its terrifying majesty and cosmic grandeur: the Judge's holy countenance shines with such consuming, blinding splendor that the very stars vanish from the sky, the mountains melt like wax before the fire, and the fabric of the universe itself flees away in helpless panic. There is absolutely no escape, no delay, and no hiding place anywhere for the guilty. This is the awe-inspiring, universe-shaking, cosmic backdrop against which the final judgment of all the wicked dead will now unfold in solemn and eternal detail. The Subjects (Revelation 20:12) “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” With the majestic, terrifying, and holy scene now vividly established, the apostle John solemnly describes the vast multitude of those who must appear before this awesome throne: “the dead, small and great” (tous nekrous tous megalous kai tous mikrous). This innumerable host includes every single human being who has ever lived and died without Christ—from the mightiest emperors, renowned philosophers, and world conquerors of history to the poorest peasants, nameless slaves, and long-forgotten souls in obscure corners of the earth. The term nekrous powerfully and solemnly underscores their former dreadful and hopeless condition: they were spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and physically dead and decaying in the grave. Now they are resurrected—not unto glorious and eternal life, but solely and exclusively to stand condemned and trembling before the righteous Judge. They “stand before God” (hestanda enopion tou theou) in solemn, trembling, and inescapable accountability. They do not sit as honored guests or relaxed observers; they stand as helpless, guilty defendants before the bar of infinite holiness and perfect justice. All earthly distinctions, privileges, and ranks vanish instantly: kings and beggars, the rich and the poor, the famous and the obscure—all stand equally naked, exposed, and without a single defense. Then the books are dramatically and solemnly opened: “the books were opened” (kai biblia eneochthesan). These are the perfect, unerring, and exhaustive records of God's infinite omniscience—containing every single thought, every idle word, every secret deed, every hidden motive, every act of open rebellion, and every neglected opportunity for repentance. Nothing is lost in the mists of time, forgotten, exaggerated, or diminished by even the slightest degree. “And another book was opened, which is the book of life” (kai allo biblion eneochthe, ho estin tes zoes). This is the precious, blood-bought Lamb's Book of Life, the eternal and unchangeable roll call of all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb (Revelation 13:8; 21:27). The dead “were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (ek ton gegrammenon en tois bibliois kata ta erga auton). For the unredeemed, their own accumulated works rise up as silent but utterly damning witnesses against them, proving beyond any shadow of doubt the universal guilt declared throughout Scripture: “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). The Significance (Revelation 20:13-14) “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” The resurrection is total, universal, complete, and absolutely inescapable. “The sea gave up the dead which were in it” (kai edoken he thalassa tous nekrous tous en aute)—even those whose bodies were lost in the darkest ocean depths, shipwrecked, or dissolved into nothingness over centuries are raised whole, intact, and fully conscious. “Death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them” (kai ho thanatos kai ho hades edokan tous nekrous tous en autois). Death releases the bodies it has claimed; Hades surrenders the disembodied spirits it has held in waiting. Every single prisoner is freed without exception for this final, terrifying accounting. “They were judged every man according to their works” (ekrithesan hekastos kata ta erga auton)—a perfectly personal, individual, thorough, and unanswerably just judgment. Then comes the climactic declaration of finality and eternal victory: “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (kai ho thanatos kai ho hades eblethesan eis ten limnen tou pyros. Houtos ho thanatos ho deuteros estin). Here we must clearly, carefully, and biblically distinguish the First Resurrection from the Second Death if we are to grasp the full weight and significance of this moment. The First Resurrection, described in detail earlier in this same chapter, is the glorious and blessed rising of all the righteous saints of every age: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). These blessed and holy ones rise to glorious life, priestly service, and triumphant reigning with Christ, enjoying complete and eternal immunity from all judgment and condemnation. The Second Death, however, is the lake of fire itself—the final, conscious, unending, and irreversible torment and eternal separation from the presence of God for all who die without Christ. It is not annihilation, cessation of existence, or temporary punishment. Scripture repeatedly describes those confined there as being “tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10; see also Revelation 14:11 and Mark 9:44-48). The first death is physical, temporary, and universal; the second death is spiritual, eternal, conscious, and reserved only for the impenitent. Those who share by faith in the First Resurrection escape the Second Death forever because the Lord Jesus Christ has already borne their full judgment and condemnation in His own body on the tree. Those who reject Him will experience both deaths in their fullest, most horrifying measure. How infinitely, eternally, and gloriously better it is to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ—the Bema Seat described in 2 Corinthians 5:10—than to stand condemned before this Great White Throne of terrifying justice!  At the Bema Seat, believers, already washed in the atoning blood and forever accepted in the Beloved, have their works examined only for the purpose of rewards and commendation, never for condemnation or loss of salvation. Christ has fully and completely borne our judgment at Calvary: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). We may lose certain rewards through unfaithfulness, yet we ourselves are saved “so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). At the Great White Throne there is no Advocate, no covering blood of the Lamb, and no possibility of mercy—only the damning books of works and the horrifying, eternal absence of one's name from the Book of Life.   The Sentence (Revelation 20:15) “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The sentence falls with devastating, irreversible, and terrifying finality and simplicity: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (ei tis ouch heurethe en te biblo tes zoes gegrammenos eblethe eis ten limnen tou pyros). No appeal is possible. No second chance is granted. No mitigation or end is ever offered. The lake of fire—originally prepared for the devil and his fallen angels (Matthew 25:41)—becomes the everlasting, conscious abode of every soul whose name is missing from the Lamb's Book of Life.      All human works, however outwardly impressive or religious in human eyes, prove utterly powerless to save or deliver on that day. Conclusion and Appeal Dear friend, the blazing, inescapable reality of the Great White Throne Judgment should cause every heart to tremble with godly fear, every conscience to awaken, and every soul still outside of Christ to flee without a moment's delay to the only place of safety—the cross of Calvary.    To every sinner still living in unbelief and rebellion: Come now! Do not delay another heartbeat or take another breath without settling this eternal matter. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Repent of your sins with genuine sorrow and place your full, trusting faith in the finished work of the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. His precious, sin-cleansing blood can write your name in the Lamb's Book of Life this very moment, delivering you forever from this throne of terror and granting you a joyful place in the blessed first resurrection and the eternal joys of the redeemed. To every true believer already resting in Christ: Live with holy urgency, eternity burning brightly in your soul, and a passionate desire to please your Lord. Be ready to meet your Savior at any instant, whether by death or by His glorious return.        Serve Him with wholehearted devotion, faithfulness, and love so that when you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ you may hear His glorious “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) and receive a full and abundant reward. “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42). May the solemn, weighty, and eternal truths of this passage stir us all to fervent prayer, pure and separated living, compassionate love for the lost, and bold, urgent gospel witness until Jesus returns in power and great glory.  To the Lamb upon the throne, our blessed Savior and coming Judge, be all honor, praise, dominion, and glory forever and ever. Amen.

In this episode I explore the relationship between God's active and passive wrath, demonstrating how God's wrath is often manifested by Him allowing people to suffer the consequences of their sins, which is what Paul has in mind when he thrice says that God “handed them over” to sinfulness in Romans 1. Romans 1 and Romans 6, focusing especially on Paul's understanding of obedience, participation in Christ, sanctification, and the Christian life. I discuss the theological categories of “active” and “passive” obedience and consider whether these categories always fit neatly within Paul's participatory and covenantal framework. A central theme throughout the episode is the idea that Paul does not merely present salvation as a legal declaration detached from transformation, but rather as incorporation into the Messiah himself. Romans 6, in particular, emphasizes dying and rising with Christ, liberation from the reign of sin, and becoming enslaved to righteousness. I argue that Paul's theology consistently frames obedience within the context of union with Christ and the work of the Spirit rather than autonomous moral achievement. The episode also explores how Romans 1 introduces many of the themes Paul develops throughout the letter, including the “obedience of faith,” the kingship of Christ, the gospel as the fulfillment of Scripture, and the transformation of the people of God through participation in the Messiah. Along the way, I discuss tensions within Protestant theological traditions regarding sanctification, imputation, transformation, and participationist readings of Paul, while emphasizing the deeply Christological nature of Paul's gospel. Media Referenced:More work on Romans:Romans 8:29-30 Episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-268-christs-image-and-human-glory-a-political-reading-of-romans-829-30Christology and Romans: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-261-the-christology-of-romans-and-romans-13/Government as God's Servant in Romans 13: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-243-government-is-gods-servant-romans-13-isaiah-10-and-jeremiah-25/Why We Get Romans 13 Wrong: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-130-everyone-is-wrong-about-romans-13-including-me/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

Scott & Craig continue the series on the letter of Romans. They dive into this amazing letter that helps us understand the good news of Jesus. How the good news is for everyone everywhere. The Find & Follow podcast is all about helping you find and follow Jesus in everyday life!How To Follow Jesus (Matthew 4:19)Connect personally with Jesus every dayGrow spiritually in communityServe the world in your Sweet SpotShow Notes:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bible Project Romans Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mission Church Messages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Mission Church:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MC Website

Series: 2026 - Summer Series, Flourishing in Faith: The Life God GrowsService: Summer SeriesType: Bible MessageSpeaker: Blake Edwards

Hope and the Freedom of God Romans 4:13-18  The First Sunday After Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2026 The Rev Kenny Benge, Associate Rector Church of the Redeemer, Nashville, TN www.Redeemer-Nashville.net

What does it really mean to be a child of God?In Romans 8:12-17, Paul reveals one of the most beautiful truths in Scripture: Christians are not slaves living in fear—they are sons and daughters of God. Through Christ, we have been adopted into God's family, led by His Spirit, and given an inheritance that can never be taken away.In this lesson, we explore: What it means to be led by the Spirit  Why Christians are no longer indebted to sin  How putting to death the deeds of the flesh leads to life  The significance of crying out, "Abba, Father"  The Spirit's role in assuring us that we belong to God  What it means to be heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ Using examples from the life of Jesus, we see how the Spirit leads God's people through temptation, suffering, and ultimately toward glory. The Christian life is not merely about avoiding sin—it's about living as beloved children of a heavenly Father.

The Righteousness of God Romans 8:31-39 Christ Church Kingwood June 7, 2026 Preacher: Patrick Wimberly

The Holy Spirit is essential in the Christian life, and the Holy Spirit is empowering each one of us in Christ.

The Righteousness of God Romans 8:26-30 Christ Church Kingwood May 30, 2026 Preacher: Patrick Wimberly

Join us for a hopeful, practical message about faith that endures when life's storms arrive. Drawing on Matthew 7:24–27, John 16:33, Romans 5:1–2, and 2 Corinthians 11:22, this sermon unpacks what it means to build your life on the solid rock of Christ, to find peace amid trials, and to grow through suffering into perseverance and hope. You'll hear biblical exposition, real-life application, and compassionate encouragement to: Recognize the storms we all face and how they test our foundations (Matthew 7:24–27). Hold fast to Jesus' promise of peace even as troubles come (John 16:33). Understand how justification and standing in Christ bring quiet confidence before God (Romans 5:1–2). See how trials and hardships refine faith and reveal God's sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 11:22 — understanding struggle in light of God's purposes). Whether you're seeking direction, comfort, or a renewed commitment to follow Jesus, this message offers Scripture-based steps to strengthen your foundation, cultivate peace, and persevere with hope. Share with anyone who needs courage today. Subscribe for more sermons and spiritual resources.

Paul spent the first several chapters in Romans laying out bedrock truths of Christianity. Now in Roman 6:11, he gives a strong imperative command: Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God. This is not a suggestion, but a “must.” Why is it so important? Because being alive to God is the entire purpose of our dying to sin. As one pastor put it, "The glory of Christian redemption is that it is in union with Jesus that we are given back our true selves. We finally begin becoming who we were truly created to be."Take-Home Message: In Christ, I must consider myself dead to sin and alive to God.In Christ, I will be eternally alive to God (8-9).Realities of the Resurrection:We will never die again.We will have transformed bodies.We will never grieve again.We will be renewed.We will live in renewed creation.We will be with our loved ones who died in Christ.We will be rewarded for every loss endured for Christ.We will never experience war again.We will witness true justice.In Christ, I must be presently alive to God (10-11).

Have you ever questioned why you believe what you believe, or have you simply accepted things because they've been normalized around you? In Part 3 of the "Super Spiritual" series, we are pulling back the mask on psychological conditioning and modern brainwashing operating under the guise of extra-holy performance.Through the lens of an aggressive, real-world encounter and a deep dive into historical compromises, this episode exposes the subtle ways toxic church environments pull people in and alter how they think without them ever realizing it. We break down the mechanics of spiritual control into three dangerous components:The Normalization of Behavior: How toxic patterns become everyday routines, contrasted against the true biblical renewal of the mind found in Romans 12:2.The Architecture of the Crowd: How our fundamental human desire to belong can be weaponized to force compliance, exposed by secular social experiments and the shocking crowd whiplash of Acts 14.The Weaponization of Fear: How structural intimidation and spiritual threats are used to demand blind submission, just like the religious elites forced upon the family in John 9.If you have ever carried the heavy weight of church hurt, felt bullied into ungodly compliance, or viewed your salvation as mere "hell insurance," this message is a rescue mission. Discover how true Kingdom transformation doesn't run on the engine of fear, but on the radical kindness of God (Romans 2:4) that leads to authentic heart renovation. It's time to reject the spell of what has always been allowed, pull down the pedestals, and step into true spiritual freedom.—To connect, learn more or donate, visit gravetopchurch.com  Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok by searching @gravetopchurch

Message from Ben McCardell on May 24, 2026

The Righteousness of God Romans 8:18-25 Christ Church Kingwood May 24, 2026 Preacher: Cary Apel

Located in the heart of downtown Maryville, Coram Deo Baptist Church (formerly Pleasant Grove at College Street) was founded as a church plant of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 2017.

May 24, 2026 | Romans 6:5-14 | Dead to Sin and Alive to God | Romans: Belonging + Boldness in the Gospel | Dale Williams

Elder Dan preaches on God's providence from Romans 8:28. God is in control and is over all things, so we should trust Him.

The Righteousness of God Romans 8:1-17 Christ Church Kingwood May 17, 2026 Preacher: Kristian Nichols

The Righteousness of God Romans 7:7-25 Christ Church Kingwood May 10, 2026 Preacher: Brian Kent

In this heartfelt Mother's Day message, Pastor Rachel shares a "Mother's Promise" that extends to every person, emphasizing the foundational command in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice in the Lord always. She challenges listeners to move from being "worriers" to "believers" by learning the spiritual art of committing their deepest concerns to God once and for all, effectively turning worry into worship. Grounded in the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39) and that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), she provides four powerful reasons to rejoice: God is always with us, His plan is inherently good, He is a "keeping God" who guards what we commit to Him (2 Timothy 1:12), and His promises are undeniably true. Through stirring testimonies of family reconciliation and divine interventions—including a miraculous account of a son "chased down" by God's love in Ecuador—Pastor Rachel encourages us to build bridges with loved ones and stand firm on the prophetic words God has spoken. Ultimately, this message reminds us that because there shall be a "performance of those things which were told" by the Lord, we can live in a state of constant celebration, trusting that it will be exactly as God has said.

Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6mMy books:Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriageGod's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_topSupport us - become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/crosstocrown.org@DougGoodin

What does it truly mean to have peace with God?In this message from Romans 5:1–11, we walk through one of the most powerful turning points in Scripture—moving from the weight of sin to the freedom of justification by faith. After the heavy reality of Romans 1–4, Paul brings us to a place of hope, grace, and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.In this sermon, we explore: What it means to be justified by faith How we can have peace with God through Jesus Why we can rejoice even in suffering The depth of God's love shown through Christ's sacrifice  What it means to be reconciled now and forever

Nowwe are going to continue in Philippians 2, and today we are talking about theright marks of spiritual unity. Yesterday we talked about the right motive forspiritual unity in the first verse which lead to these marks. “Therefore ifthere is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowshipof the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by beinglike-minded.” Then he goes on to say, “having the same love,being of one accord, of one mind.” Today, we want to look atthese four things: being like-minded, having the same love, being of oneaccord, and of one mind. These are the four marks of spiritual unity. Thesame mind means thinking the same way. Now this does not meanuniformity in every opinion. It means that our thinking is being shaped by themind of Christ. It has nothing to do with our preferences or opinions about howthings ought to be done in the church, or the music that should be sung—whetherit be contemporary or traditional. No, it means when it comes to the gospel ofJesus Christ and the very essentials of what our faith is about, we have unity,and we have the mind of Christ. First Corinthians 2:16 says, “we have themind of Christ.” The way we have this is that “we are not conformed tothis world, but we are transformed by the renewing of our minds” in theHoly Spirit and in the Word of God” (Romans 12:2). Second,we see the mark of the same love. Now this is not emotional preference,but deliberate, sacrificial love that seeks the good of others. Jesus said inJohn 13:34–35, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as Ihave loved you. By this all will know that you are My disciples if you havelove for one another.” In First John 3:16, “By this we know love,because He laid down His life for us.” What love is that? The love of Godin Christ Jesus through His death on the cross. We experience that love, and weare to have that same love for one another. Thenone accord, which literally means “one-souled”—hearts knit together indeep spiritual connection. Acts 4:32 tells us of the early church: “Now themultitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul.” So we havethat as a mark of spiritual unity. Lastly,of one mind. This is having a single purpose—the glory of Jesus Christand the advancement of the gospel. Remember Paul said earlier in Philippians1:27 that we are “to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind strivingtogether for the faith of the gospel”. Sothis is not shallow unity. This is deep. It is Spirit-produced harmony. Infact, it reflects something very profound—it is the unity of the Trinityitself. Jesus prayed about this in John 17, that His followers would be one asHe and the Father are one. This is internal—and eternal too, for that matter.Paul is not focusing on rules or structure. He is focusing on our hearts, ourminds, and our attitudes. Whenthe Spirit produces this kind of unity, the church becomes something powerful,something attractive. It's like iron filings drawn to a magnet. Even whenpressures try to pull them apart, something stronger pulls them back together. Haveyou ever been a part of a church like that—one that is warm, loving, and has asense of belonging that is unmistakable? Oh, my friend, that is what we need inour country today: churches like that. Thisis what Paul calls for. You will notice it all begins when the truth of verse 1shapes the attitudes here of verse 2 in our hearts. God help us as we let Himdo that in us each and every day. God bless and may youhave a wonderful, wonderful day!

The Righteousness of God Romans 6:15-7:6 Christ Church Kingwood May 3, 2026 Preacher: Matt Lobasso

May 3, 2026 | Romans 5:6-11 | Living Gratefully for the Love of God | Romans: Belonging + Boldness in the Gospel | Dale Williams

Here in chapter 3, we get to the crux, or turning point, of the gospel message. Paul has articulated the fullness of man's depravity, both Jews and Gentiles alike, and their inability to attain righteousness for themselves. All had sinned, and none could save themselves. But now the righteousness of God, promised and foreshadowed from the Old Testament, has been revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. This righteousness may now be received through faith apart from the law of works. This is the glory and hope of the gospel message.

Here in chapter 3, we get to the crux, or turning point, of the gospel message. Paul has articulated the fullness of man's depravity, both Jews and Gentiles alike, and their inability to attain righteousness for themselves. All had sinned, and none could save themselves. But now the righteousness of God, promised and foreshadowed from the Old Testament, has been revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. This righteousness may now be received through faith apart from the law of works. This is the glory and hope of the gospel message.

You're not just forgiven—you're family. This week we continue in Romans 8 and unpack what it actually means to be a child of God. The Spirit leads us to fight sin, cry out to God as Father, and live as heirs of everything He owns—even when life is hard. Suffering doesn't mean something's gone wrong; it means you belong to Him. If you've been living like an orphan when God has made you a son or daughter, this message is for you.

The Righteousness of God Romans 6:1-14 Christ Church Kingwood April 26, 2026 Preacher: Matt Lobasso

If you've ever wondered why the Christian life can feel like a constant uphill battle — even after giving your life to Christ — this episode speaks directly to that struggle. Pastor Lawrence opens Romans 6:1–14 to show us that lasting transformation doesn't start with willpower. It starts with understanding what actually happened to you the moment you placed your faith in Jesus.Paul's message is urgent: you can't change your life if you don't know your identity. This episode unpacks the powerful "consider and present" framework from Romans 6, confronts the lies that keep believers stuck, and points to the grace that sets us free — not just from sin's penalty, but from sin's mastery.Show Notes & Key Takeaways:1. Change will never happen if you don't know what happened when you became a Christian (Romans 6:1–10)Paul asks "don't you know?" three times — establishing that knowing the truth of your union with Christ is the non-negotiable starting point for transformation.2. Change begins the moment you believe in the righteous identity God has declared over you (Romans 6:11)"Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." — Romans 6:11This isn't wishful thinking. It's reckoning — choosing to believe what God declared even before you feel it. As with Abraham, belief comes first, and strength follows.3. Change happens when you stop trying to make yourself better and offer yourself to the One who can make it happen (Romans 6:12–14)"Offer yourselves to God… as an instrument of righteousness." — Romans 6:13Two movements: Consider (your new identity) + Present (your whole self to God). This is how transformation flows.Referenced in This Episode:J.I. Packer, Knowing GodRomans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 John 2:3Tony Evans illustration on identityChris Tiegreen on "life debt" and Romans 6:13Next Steps:Reflect on Romans 6:11 this week — write out the verse and read it each morningAsk yourself: Which negative narratives about your identity do you need to replace with what God has declared?Consider attending a weekend service at Grand Point Church or watching the full message onlineConnect with Grand Point Church:

In Romans 6:1-4, Paul confronts a question that still matters today: if God's grace covers sin, does it really matter how we live? This message reminds us that grace is not permission to stay the same; it is the power of God that changes us from the inside out. Through Christ, the old life has been buried, sin no longer gets the final word, and believers are called to walk in newness of life. Christianity is not just about forgiveness; it is about resurrection, transformation, and a new identity in Jesus. Join us as we see how the gospel doesn't simply touch up our lives... it makes us new!Connect with us!Missioncity.church

What does it mean when Paul says, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven”? In this lesson from Romans 1, we explore a truth many avoid—God's wrath is real, but it is not uncontrolled rage. It is His righteous and just response to persistent rebellion.Paul shows that when people continually reject God, suppress truth, and refuse repentance, God's wrath is often revealed through abandonment—allowing sin to take its natural course. From Samson to Proverbs to Romans 1, Scripture warns that continued rejection of God leads to darkness, idolatry, brokenness, and destruction.Yet even in this warning, there is incredible hope. God has made Himself known through creation, through His Word, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. His desire is not condemnation, but salvation. Romans 5 reminds us that through Christ's blood, we are saved from the wrath to come.This sermon challenges us to ask:• Am I honoring God with gratitude and obedience?• Have I allowed truth to be suppressed in my life?• Am I moving toward God—or away from Him?God does not force our choice, but He does call us to choose. The good news is that no one has to remain under wrath—grace is available for all who turn to Him.

Part #9 - The Power of Biblical Separation Hebrews 12:1 2 Corinthians 6:14–18 I. The Defilement of Sin Romans 6:23 A. Deliberate Sin (Calculated, wide open rebellion) ● Numbers 19:11 ● Psalm 19:13 ● Romans 13:14 B. Defiling Sin (Casual — it rubs off) ● Numbers 19:14–15 ● 1 Corinthians 15:33 C. Distracting Sin (Carelessness) ● Numbers 19:16 ● Hebrews 2:1 ● Proverbs 4:23 D. Disguised Sin (Concealed beneath the surface) ● Numbers 19:16 ● Psalm 19:12 ● Matthew 15:18–19 II. The Damage of Sin (What happens when we refuse to be cleansed?) A. Fellowship Disrupted - Sin breaks relationships Numbers 19:20 B. Freedom Diminished - Sin drains your liberty with God ● Numbers 19:20 C. Fruitfulness Destroyed - Sin spreads and produces death ● Numbers 19:22 ● Hebrews 9:14 ● Isaiah 52:11 III. The Deliverance from Sin (Why separation matters) We are separated unto God ● Romans 1:1 A. A Sacrifice Approved - Christ alone can make you clean ● Numbers 19:2–3 ● Philippians 2:12–13 B. A Supply Available - You can be clean right now ● Numbers 19:6–9 C. A Salvation Applied - You must personally respond ● Numbers 19:17–18

With the introductory portion of his letter, the Apostle Paul highlights the central theme of his entire letter: the gospel of God. The gospel of God is the good news of God's salvation for everyone who believes. As such, it fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, it is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and it has a missional impulse to reach all nations.

With the introductory portion of his letter, the Apostle Paul highlights the central theme of his entire letter: the gospel of God. The gospel of God is the good news of God's salvation for everyone who believes. As such, it fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, it is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and it has a missional impulse to reach all nations.

Rwanda – It was the centerpiece of a lot of news attention back in 1994. Bloody civil war; tens of thousands of Rwandans were slaughtered there. There were nightly images of emaciated refugees, dying of disease, dying of starvation. And children; oh, you just couldn't forget the children. Many of those kids had lost everything in the carnage. Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham, took a medical team to try to help there, and I heard him tell about one little girl he said he could never forget, and I don't think I will. He was in this rebel camp and he was walking by an army truck. He noticed this one little girl sitting in the back of it and she was just rocking back and forth, and she was singing something very softly but in a language Franklin couldn't understand. There was a soldier standing by there paying no attention to the girl, and Franklin said, “What happened to this little girl?” And he said, “Oh, the same as all the others. She's got nobody left.” Franklin said, “Well, would you do me one more favor? Would you tell me what she's singing?” The soldier seemed a little annoyed, but he listened for a minute and he said, “Yeah, it's…” Then he went on to translate it. When he translated the song, it was clear that this little Rwandan orphan hadn't lost everything. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about “Unloseable.” The soldier, after hearing this song sung by that little Rwandan orphan girl said, “Yeah, it's something about Jesus loving her.” Franklin said, “Is it Jesus Loves Me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so?” “Yeah, yeah, that's it.” With her world torn apart, with every human who loved her gone, this precious little victim had one unloseable relationship. Do you? They couldn't take Jesus away from her. Our word for today from the Word of God - Romans chapter 8. It begins by talking about the worst things that could happen to you in your life, and in verse 37 it says, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor demons, nothing in the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A love you can never lose; a love that will never lose you. Jesus is the unloseable person we've looked for all our lives. Actually we're built to belong to our Creator. If it weren't for Jesus, we would never have the possibility of that heart-satisfying relationship because of the gap between God and us. It's called sin. That's basically the self-rule of our lives. It could be summed up in those words “I did it my way.” So the God that we're built by and for is out of our reach until that sin bill is paid. Talk about love! God's only Son came to remove the only thing that could keep us from His love - the death penalty for our sin. From the moment you say, “Jesus, I'm putting my total trust in you and what you did on the cross for me” you belong to God. You always will. Nothing in heaven, nothing in hell, nothing on earth can end that relationship. God has guaranteed it. Quite some time ago, my wife and I spent a week at a little house at the Jersey shore; it was like a mini-honeymoon. And two weeks later she came down with a life-threatening case of hepatitis. I'll never forget the night when she almost died. I realized that this one person who would never choose to leave me might not have any choice about it that night. I'm so grateful God spared her. But that night I realized that the closest thing I have on earth to an unloseable person is loseable. But you know what? Since that day, came the day that I did lose her. But I was still able to sing “Jesus loves me, this I know.” I hope you can too. You probably never thought you'd learn anything from a little Rwandan orphan girl, but she was hanging on to Jesus with all her heart. Maybe it's time for you to do that. I'd love to help you know how. Join me at our website AnewStory.com. Isn't it time you grabbed Jesus' hand? Because that's the only hand that won't ever let you go.

Rwanda - it was the centerpiece of a lot of news attention back in 1994. Bloody civil war; tens of thousands of Rwandans were slaughtered there. There were nightly images of emaciated refugees, dying of disease, dying of starvation. And children; oh, you just couldn't forget the children. Many of those kids had lost everything in the carnage. Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham, took a medical team to try to help there, and I heard him tell about one little girl he said he could never forget, and I don't think I will. He was in this rebel camp and he was walking by an army truck. He noticed this one little girl sitting in the back of it and she was just rocking back and forth, and she was singing something very softly but in a language Franklin couldn't understand. There was a soldier standing by there paying no attention to the girl, and Franklin said, "What happened to this little girl?" And he said, "Oh, the same as all the others. She's got nobody left." Franklin said, "Well, would you do me one more favor? Would you tell me what she's singing?" The soldier seemed a little annoyed, but he listened for a minute and he said, "Yeah, it's..." Then he went on to translate it. When he translated the song, it was clear that this little Rwandan orphan hadn't lost everything. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Unloseable." The soldier, after hearing this song sung by that little Rwandan orphan girl said, "Yeah, it's something about Jesus loving her." Franklin said, "Is it Jesus Loves Me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so?" "Yeah, yeah, that's it." With her world torn apart, with every human who loved her gone, this precious little victim had one unloseable relationship. Do you? They couldn't take Jesus away from her. Our word for today from the Word of God - Romans 8. It begins by talking about the worst things that could happen to you in your life, and in verse 37 it says, "We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor demons, nothing in the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." A love you can never lose; a love that will never lose you. Jesus is the unloseable person we've looked for all our lives. Actually we're built to belong to our Creator. If it weren't for Jesus, we would never have the possibility of that heart-satisfying relationship because of the gap between God and us. It's called sin. That's basically the self-rule of our lives. It could be summed up in those words "I did it my way." So the God that we're built by and for is out of our reach until that sin bill is paid. Talk about love! God's only Son came to remove the only thing that could keep us from His love - the death penalty for our sin. From the moment you say, "Jesus, I'm putting my total trust in you and what you did on the cross for me" you belong to God. You always will. Nothing in heaven, nothing in hell, nothing on earth can end that relationship. God has guaranteed it. Quite some time ago, my wife and I spent a week at a little house at the Jersey shore; it was like a mini-honeymoon. And two weeks later she came down with a life-threatening case of hepatitis. I'll never forget the night when she almost died. I realized that this one person who would never choose to leave me might not have any choice about it that night. I'm so grateful God spared her. But that night I realized that the closest thing I have on earth to an unloseable person is loseable. But you know what? Since that day, came the day that I did lose her. But I was still able to sing "Jesus loves me, this I know." I hope you can too. You probably never thought you'd learn anything from a little Rwandan orphan girl, but she was hanging on to Jesus with all her heart. Maybe it's time for you to do that. I'd love to help you know how. Join me at our website ANewStory.com. Isn't it time you grabbed Jesus' hand? Because that's the only hand that won't ever let you go.

There are moments when a familiar Scripture suddenly feels brand new—when a single phrase stands out and reshapes our understanding. Micah 6:8 is one of those verses. Many of us know it well: “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” But the phrase love mercy carries a depth that’s easy to overlook. It’s one thing to show mercy. It’s another to love it. Often, we extend mercy out of obligation. We forgive because we know we should. We let things go because it’s the “right” thing to do. But inwardly, our hearts may still be wrestling with hurt, resentment, or reluctance. True transformation happens when mercy is not just practiced—but embraced. Loving mercy means allowing God to reshape our hearts so that compassion becomes our natural response. This can feel especially difficult when we’ve been deeply hurt. Pain has a way of narrowing our perspective. We see the offense clearly, but it’s harder to see the person behind it. Yet Scripture reminds us that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19). We are not called to carry the weight of justice—we are called to reflect the heart of God. And God is merciful. Psalm 103:8 describes Him as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” Mercy isn’t just something God does—it’s part of who He is. As we grow closer to Him, His character begins to shape ours. Through God’s eyes, we begin to see differently. Instead of only seeing the hurt, we start to recognize brokenness in others. Instead of withholding grace, we begin to extend it. Not because it’s easy, but because God empowers us to do what we cannot do on our own. Loving mercy doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending it didn’t happen. It means choosing to release it to God and allowing His love to flow through us anyway. And in that process, something beautiful happens: we experience more of God Himself. Main Takeaways God calls us not just to show mercy, but to love it. Mercy rooted in obligation is different from mercy rooted in love. We are not responsible for justice—God is. Seeing others through God’s eyes helps us extend compassion. As we grow closer to God, His merciful character shapes our hearts. Today’s Bible Verse “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8, NIV Your Daily Prayer Prayer excerpt for listeners: “Lord, help me not only show mercy, but truly love it as You do.” Listen to the full prayer here. To view the prayer in written format, visit the links below. Continue growing in faith and encouragement: LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts and devotionals Crosswalk.com – Daily prayers, articles, and Bible study resources If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.