Author: Joe Lawrence

  • Romans 4: Faith not Performance

    Romans 4: Faith not Performance

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    by

    Joe Lawrence
    in

    Romans 4 shifts the focus from works and law to the foundation of true righteousness. Paul goes back to Abraham, the father of the faith, and uses his life to make a critical point: righteousness has always come through faith, not through performance. This chapter reminds us that salvation by faith is not a New…

  • Love Is Not Easy

    Love Is Not Easy

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    by

    Joe Lawrence
    in

    1 Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything in love.” Those four words sit quietly in Scripture, simple enough to memorize yet difficult enough to challenge even the strongest marriages and the most faithful men. The world markets love as something effortless, emotional, and endlessly fulfilling. Hollywood portrays romance as a smooth road where soulmates fit perfectly and…

  • Romans 3: Faith over Ritual

    Romans 3: Faith over Ritual

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    by

    Joe Lawrence
    in

    Romans 3 calls us to confront the difference between outward religion and genuine faith. As I read this chapter, the message that stood out the strongest was this: rituals, traditions, and good behavior cannot save us. They never could. Paul exposes the idea that simply belonging to the right group, following the right customs, or…