Grace Community Church - Nashville

God has put before our eyes the vision of what he intends to make of us by his grace. In Psalm 1, the image of a healthy and flourishing tree is designed to stir our imagination for the kind of Christian we are becoming. By God’s grace in Christ and through the graces of his Word, we are spiritually alive, showing evidence of that life and giving life to others. This vision from God forms the mission of our lives and determines the commitments we make.  Today, let’s see, determine, and decide for God’s vision of us.

This psalmist is looking at the sad state of Israel’s relationship with God and praying that he would restore them to himself. Today we consider our own need for spiritual renewal and we take up this psalm as a guide for our prayers to be restored. We rejoice that the prayer for a Man to deliver and restore the people to God has been answered in the coming of Jesus Christ. Christ is the shining face of God, and in his face we see God. May the Lord restore us to himself through Christ.

Paul began his letter to the Romans declaring the gospel as the power of God for salvation. He now ends his letter telling these Christians that God is able to strengthen them by the gospel and the preaching of Christ. Today we reflect back on Romans and see the ways that we, a congregation, become strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The voice of God in his word speaks warnings, instructions, and promises. God’s voice is clearly heard in this passage. The church of Jesus Christ is warned of the divisions and doctrinal error that Satan promotes through false teachers. We are instructed to be wise, discerning and avoiding evil while clinging to what is good. And, we are promised that soon God will crush the enemy under our feet. These are fitting final words for Christians waiting for Christ’s return.

The personal greetings of Paul to the Christians in Rome reveal the beauty of friendships forged in Christ. These Christians shared life in Christ and gave service to Christ. They expressed their friendship with affection for one another. This is another picture for us of a healthy congregation.

With the Spirit of Christ filling us with the fruit of goodness, and the Word of Christ filling us with spiritual knowledge, we have what we need to help each other grow in faith, hope, and love. We find in this passage another vision of a beautiful congregation that helps people and glorifies God.