Since this new way gives us such
confidence, we can be very bold.
But now we have been released from the
law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve
God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of
living in the Spirit.
When I
was very young, one of my heroes was my uncle.
He was an Air Force pilot who trained other pilots. We would visit my aunt and uncle and their
family in Texas from time to time, and I have lots of great memories that
include seeing air planes, jumping on the trampoline wearing his flight helmet
and much more.
My
uncle had an old corvette. I would guess
it was from about 1967, and it was set up as a race car because I remember that
the gas tank lid was bigger thank normal to accommodate how race cars are
filled with fuel. On one visit I
remember my uncle taking me for a ride in his corvette on a brand new
highway. It might not even have been
open yet. They lived in north Texas
where the land was pretty flat. I
remember his driving up on that road and opening up the car. It was like we were flying. No other cars were in sight. I have no idea how fast we were going, but
with my uncle driving we were having fun.
New
roads are cool. It is fun to see where
you are going on the new pavement. The
Christian life is much the same way. God
has changed our lives. He has removed
the old and given us new life. We are
forgiven and given opportunities that wouldn’t come our way unless we are on a
new road.
Those
new roads provide challenges along the way.
It is like using a GPS that doesn’t know the new road and asks you tor
turn around or shows you are driving through a field or through water. The flesh and our natural man says that the
way of faith is not right, it doesn’t feel right and needs to be avoided. New roads take us to new places and allow us
to see what we have never seen before.
That is what God is opening up for us.
God’s
desire for us is for abundant life. His
plan for us includes success, strength and making a difference. Those who follow God will long for and spend
time on the new roads that God supplies.
Faith leads us to go on adventures, to take risks and to experience God
in bold, great ways.
Thank
God for these new roads. Thank God for
the adventure ahead of us as we follow Him.
I can’t wait to see what is next.
What does all this mean? Even though
the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right
with God. And it was by faith that this took place.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of
this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you
think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and
pleasing and perfect.
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