How should we live?

Romans 9:31; 10:3, 5; 11:18-23; 12;1-2

We need to remember that the book of Romans was not written to an individual, it was written to the churches in Rome.

Paul was not addressing a singular person, rather he was giving instructions to the believers on how they ought to live.

We looked two weeks ago at what happens when God abandons us to our own devices...

We looked last week at the victory is available for us if we place our confidence and faith in Jesus Christ...

Today we want to see what happens if we make things harder than they are supposed to be...

Romans 9:31 NLT

But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.

Romans 10:3 NLT

For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

Romans 10:5 NLT

For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.

Romans 11:18–23 NLT

But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.

Romans 12:1–2 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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.

Following Jesus doesn’t require perfection,

++Following Jesus requires faith, trust, believe, and obedience.