United to Christ - Part 1

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:3–4 (ESV) How do you grow in your Christian walk? To answer that question many of us will run to habit, methods, studies, lists, and actions. We see our Christian life as something that comes out of us. When we falter, fail, don't achieve, or just sin we feel like a failure and sense the displeasure of God. We go to the Christian book store and look through the aisles and aisles of books of how to be a better mom or dad, husband or wife, or student or teacher, or employee or boss, or scientist or astronaut (Yes, the how to be a Christian astronaut book exists). All the while, I wonder if we truly understand what sanctification is, where it comes from, and who achieves it. If you have thought up to this point in Romans, I hope he gets to something practical soon then you are in luck because this week we start looking at Romans 6-7 which I have entitled "War". It's a look into how this salvation by faith meets us in our Christian walk. I want to encourage you to read through Romans 6-7. Where do you see yourself in these chapters? Also don't forget to read through the rest of the email. There are several things coming up at Hope including an invitation if you are new, Community group signups, Women's Bible study starting, and an opportunity to run with some friends. How do you grow in your Christian walk? To answer that question many of use will run to habits, methods, studies, lists, and actions. We see our Christian life as something that comes out of us. When we falter, fail, don't achieve, or just sin we feel like a failure and sense the displeasure of God. We go to the Christian book store and look through the aisles and aisles of books of how to be a better mom or dad, husband or wife, student or teacher, employee or boss, scientist or astronaut (Yes, the how to be Christian astronaut book really exists). And we keep piling up the things we should do and our walks become more and more complicated and less and less realistic. I wonder if I truly understand what sanctification is, where it comes from, and who achieved it. Do you? If you have thought up to this point in Romans, 'I hope he gets to something practical soon!' then you are in luck. Because this week we start looking at Romans 6-7 which I have entitled War. It's a look into how this salvation by faith meets us in our Christian walk. I want to encourage you to read through Romans 6-7. Where do you see yourself in these chapters?