Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Here at the end of Romans Paul has finally drawn the conclusion upon which all the previous chapters have built upon and now comes at the closing. Only God has the power to establish you. The revelation of the mystery is Christ in you. All will come to know Him in you by obedience of faith. This is God’s glory and not of man.

Key to this endeavor is obedience of faith. We live in a world of performance and reward. The grace extended to us and thru us in not performance based. Grace by definition is unmerited favor. It is not based on performance or adherence to laws. It is based in Christ in you who is the faithful one and only what He does is counted for righteousness sake.

At this time some of you are going to raise your hands and cry out, “What about my sins?” If you are in Christ and Christ in you, sin no longer holds sway over you. You have a choice. Do we always make the right choices? No, if we did then forgiveness would no longer be required to ease your conscience. You see the only thing bothering you about your sins at this point is your good conscience.

Repent, that is turning around and go with God. Some of us understand that seeking forgiveness after you have accepted the work of the cross is redundant. You have already been forgiven. The repenting and turning is what is required of you. We remind you that your sins have already been forgiven, even those you commit tomorrow.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

I would venture to guess that many would respond to this verse with this reply; “I can’t do it.”

My answer to that is, you are right you cannot. BUT; isn’t there always a better answer? The better answer to this verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Christ dwells in your heart for just this reason, He is able to do that which we cannot.

I hear “I cannot” so much these days. If you believe you cannot, you will not. But if you believe Jesus Christ can, then do not allow your negative feelings hinder His efforts. If you are in Christ and Christ in you, why do you doubt the God who is able to do all things?

Agape is the love that fulfilled the law. It was not eros, and it was not philio. You can eros and philio your neighbor to earthy ends but that will not satisfy God’s perfect law. Only agape can do that because it is not only of God it is God.

God is love according to 1 John 4:6. If He dwells within your heart, His love dwells in your heart. Given that His love is perfect, allow for this, that He will look to the needs of your heart first.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Yesterday I talked about Satan’s great lie and the fear that is cast abroad in a heart because of that lie must first be dealt with before the indwelling love can be shown to others. God cares more about you and anything you can do by obedience of faith.