The opening affirmation of Romans chapter 8 is a glorious one - “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” When we’re truly converted we’re placed under new management; we’re now in union with Christ. Our lives are now being regulated, inspired, and reshaped by the Holy Spirit.

Romans eight has to be one of the high points in Pauline liturature, and particularly in the context of the book of Romans, with its underlying theme of justification by faith. This understanding is grounded in Paul's conviction that the gospel is “...the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom.1:16).” Paul establishes the guilt and condemnation of all men before a holy God early in the book (Rom.2:12-3:20), and it's not a condemnation that is confined to a future event of divine judgment, even though that's certain, but it's also one that's presently evident in man's inability to consistently resist the many sinful impulses he experiences.

One of the most dramatic moments during Jesus' interrogation by Pilate is when he said to Pilate “....For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth.” Pilate responds with a question that we should all ask....”What is truth?” (Jn.18:37, 38). Truth is understood to be expressed in two different forms: subjective, and objective truth. Subjective truth is a conviction based on personal experience; whereas objective truth stands outside the individual and is well established in the 'cultural mind' by science or divine revelation. The truth claims presented in the Bible are both objective and subjective in nature. God is not only objectively real, he also makes himself known to individuals through subjective experience.

Very often, questions related to God are raised in the context of life's dilemmas and losses. Is God there? What's He like? Does He care? Will He help? These questions surface as we attempt to make sense out of life's experiences that are painful, conflicting, and emotionally disturbing. We have a tremendous need to understand life and believe that there's some transcendant purpose that will give our personal lives coherence and meaning.

Some time ago I was asked to give a talk on the question – 'Why am I a Christian?' After considering the question from several sides, I came to the conclusion that I'm a Christian because, by God's grace, I believe. I've responded by faith to the call of the gospel. Christian commitment is essentially a matter of faith. Given this understanding, does Christian faith exclude the intellect and reason? Are we required to operate solely from the heart? Or is biblical faith reasonable and logically supportable? I think it is!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

One of the prominent features of the gospel is that it's forward looking, it confronts the future with clarity, hope, and confidence. The Bible certainly has an appreciation for the past because it's firmly grounded in history, and it also has very important things to say about the present; and yet, its expectation of future things is what makes it a gospel of hope. If there is any single aspect of the biblical message that needs to be underscored today it's this element of hope.

We're probably all familiar with the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead (Jn.11:1-44). It's a dramatic moment in the ministry of Jesus! John tells us that Jesus received word that his friend Lazarus was very sick, and that Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha, were wanting him to come and pray for him. But Jesus didn't go immediately; he delayed for two days. His delay, however, was purposeful - “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it (v.4).”

In the opening paragraphs of John chapter 10, Jesus describes himself by using two striking metaphors: 'I am the door' and 'I am the good shepherd'. By using these two metaphors, Jesus answers two important questions – who is the true shepherd of God's people, and what marks the character and life of those who God calls out to be a people of his own? Jesus addresses these questions allegorically by using agrarian images to communicate spiritual truths.