Wawasee Bible Podcast

One way to think about abiding in Christ is to use the metaphor of "spiritual breathing." When we take in God's Word (reading, study, meditation, memorization) we are "inhaling". Jesus said in John 15:7 to let his words abide in us. Similarly, when we respond to God's Word to us through prayer and worship we're "exhaling". As you approach Thanksgiving, how are you doing at "breathing" spiritually?

Believers are set free from sin’s power through union with Christ and must live in that reality by choosing daily to walk in grace and not return to former patterns of sin.

Grace is more than forgiveness—it's the living, supernatural power of God shaping, transforming, and freeing us when we admit our need for him and actively seek his help. Where sin increases, grace increases all the more and makes us new from the inside out.

In Chapter 5 of Romans, Paul’s focus begins to pivot from our righteousness coming through faith to how we should respond and live in light of that truth. He starts off Romans 5 saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith…” marking his shift in focus. We should live with joy, hope, and purpose in light of our justification. Saving faith ignites today’s joy and tomorrow’s hope, turns...

Paul continues using Abraham as an example of someone saved by faith, not works, in Romans 4:13-25. True faith, though not earned by effort, produces obedience—not perfection, but a changed trajectory. Abraham serves as an example of this kind of faith: believing God’s promises despite plenty of reasons for doubt, trusting that God keeps every promise he makes. Because of his faith, righteousness...

Somewhere along the line, people got this crazy idea that salvation is something we can work for or earn. The problem is, that idea distorts both the nature of grace and the nature of our sin. In Romans 4, Paul emphasizes that if salvation came by our efforts, it would make God a debtor rather than a gracious given. Looking at both the examples of Abraham and David, Paul makes the case that...

It can be a shock to realize that "good" people don't make it to heaven... only perfect people do. God's standard is perfection! Jesus says we must be perfect, just as the Father is perfect. That makes every one of us doomed, left on our own. Thankfully, while not one is perfect, and we all fall short—perfect is a gift. God gives "perfect" as a gift for those who will receive it by faith in...

As continue in Romans, Paul confronts us with the truth that outward strength, religious ritual, and even sound theology collapse without an inwardly transformed heart. God's standard is perfection, not comparison, and neither moral effort nor religious devotion or right doctrine can bridge the gap between sinful humanity and God's holiness. Knowledge and ritual are valuable only when paired with...

As Paul continues in his letter to the Roman church, he moves from the brokenness of culture to the brokenness in every human heart—including our own. The “window” of Romans 1:18-32 is replaced with a mirror in chapter 2. It’s not just about what’s wrong with the world—it’s about what’s wrong with us. If we’re not careful to look in the mirror and repent of our own sin, we can quickly become...

As Paul launches into the core of his letter, he spends a good deal of time laying out the human condition. In other words, he unpacks the bad news that makes the good news of the Gospel so incredibly good. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul unloads the way humanity spirals away from God. The pattern is this: they exchange one thing for another, and God gives them over to it. First, they exchange worshiping...