Pastor Josh continues teaching us from Romans 15 this morning:
“Many today are uncomfortable with the idea of obligation to God…or at least find it difficult to square with their idea of grace. But the biblical view of grace and reciprocation is much closer to the Greco-Roman norm of Paul’s day in which, it is well documented, there are certain obligations placed on the recipients of grace. The greater the gift, the more the recipient was obligated to respond in honour, thanksgiving, faithfulness, public rejoicing and reciprocal gifts…
God’s grace is unconditioned - that is, given without prior conditions being met - but it is not unconditional - in that it does expect a response in the form of faith, obedience and moral transformation. Faith apart from works is useless, it is dead (James 2:26).”