Dear Family at CCC,

   This Sunday we will have the privilege of partaking of the Lord’s Table.  Our eager expectation is that through this means of grace the Lord Jesus will vivify in our hearts the reality that everything we need to have life to the full is given to us in Him.  The broken bread and poured-out cup remind us of and seal us in the truth of all that Jesus’ broken body and poured-out blood accomplished for us.  Because we are His there is now no judgement to fear, no good thing in danger of being ultimately lost, and no enemy with power to take away our peace.

   As we remember these things the Lord’s Table will help us to hear our sermon text from Romans 13:1-7 with increased faith.  The call to submit to earthly governing authorities is a challenging one—it was so for the early Roman Christians of Paul’s day, and it remains so for us.  Elliot Clark asked Christian leaders from across the world—many presently serving in contexts where they are under continual threat of overt governmental persecution—how they think through and apply this call to their various spheres of influence.  Their responses are challenging, humbling, and, often, convicting.  You may find it helpful to read them for yourself at the following link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/applying-romans-13-around-world/

   These Christians have discovered what we have seen so often for ourselves in our study of Romans.  Jesus makes our joyful obedience possible by reminding us that He has already given us life in Him that no earthly government can ever give or take away.  Jesus also uses our submission to earthly governments as a means to turn the world upside-down.  As we faithfully follow Him in returning blessing for persecution, honor for spite, and trust in God’s justice for vengeance we demonstrate the love of Jesus in a world characterized by strife and opposition.

   So, as we prepare to come to the Table this Sunday, let’s prepare our hearts by asking the Spirit to keep our minds and affections focused on Jesus and the life we have in Him.  May the Spirit use this means of grace to nourish our faith so that we more consistently look to and receive from Him the life that only He can give.

In Christ,
Robby