Romans 4:14-15

If those who are (followers) of the Law are (the true) heirs (of Abraham) then faith (leading to salvation) is of no effect and void, and the promise (of God) nullified. For the Law results in (God’s) wrath (against sin), but where there is no law, there is no violation (of it either).

When reading the Old Testament, it is clear that keeping the law would be a struggle. Without salvation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a man quickly loses focus on the law and sins. Through salvation, grace removes the law as a barrier to reaching a connection to God through Jesus. 

Romans 3:22-24

The righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those (Jew or Gentile) who believe (and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son). There is no distinction since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God and are being justified as a gift by His grace, through the redemption which in is Christ Jesus.

Man is not capable of attaining righteousness without salvation through Jesus. Creating rules and philosophies cannot achieve what a spirit connected to Jesus can do. Our spirit connected through Jesus opens the door to right standing and propels the believer to a closer relationship with God. Our connection makes our faith in God important for answered prayer, healing, and daily life.

Hebrews 2:1

For this reason (that is, because of God’s final revelation in His Son Jesus’ superiority to the angels) we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not drift away from the truth.

Our minds will have a mind of their own if we let them. Our eyes will travel here and there and see things that should be avoided. We get distracted, tired and confused because we have lost focus on the truth from the word of God. The Bible is our best defense against becoming apathetic and lost in an ugly world. 

Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without murmuring or questioning so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a (morally) crooked and (spiritually) perverted generation, among whom you are set as bright lights in the world (of darkness). 

There are times when circumstances are frustrating, and all we want to do is verbalize our frustration, thinking it will make us feel better. God instructs us to hold our tongues and not complain amid trials. Why? Because God is the answer to our problems and can help us when we seek Him over the matter. 

Galatians 6:4-5

But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work (examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior), and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. For every person will have to bear his own burden (of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible).

Paul is gently telling us that we can only control ourselves. We may not be able to control the circumstances, people, or events around us, but our attitudes are behaviors we can control. We are responsible for our shortcomings and faults, and we have God’s ability inside us to overcome them. 

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit (the result of His presence within us) is love (unselfish concern for others), joy (inner) peace, patience (not the ability to wait but how we act while waiting), kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Christian faith is something we practice, grow, and develop as we study the word, pray, and spend time with Jesus. The above is almost a check off the list which is helpful because we can easily see an area where we need more practice. And our faith takes training and renewing the mind so we can grow. Keep going, and we will see a reward. 

Ephesians 1:19

And (so that you will begin to know) what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness is His (active, spiritual) power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength. 

We don’t need to look any farther than the cross to find the power we need to overcome in our daily lives. If we would only believe and act on the word of God and the salvation brought to us through Jesus. When we turn away from discouragement, shut the door on fear, and concentrate on the living word, the power of God will manifest. 

Philippians 3:20-21

But (we are different, because) our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await (the coming of) the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will transform our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body. 

Our citizenship as believers is in Heaven. Therefore, we should occupy this earth as representatives of God from Heaven, built up in faith and prepared for the coming of the Lord. As we recognize the signs of the times and keep our hearts pure toward God. We will see the coming of Jesus and our resurrected bodies. 

John 15:4

Remain in Me, and I (will remain) in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you (bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith) unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit for otherwise apart from Me you can do nothing.

We will bear fruit of faith as we remain in continual and constant contact with Jesus. Our born-again spirits are branches from the main vine connected to God. God is the source of our branch feeding us wisdom and knowledge through His word. We can do nothing apart from God and prosper in this life without His direction.

John 1:12-13

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right (the authority, the privilege) to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in His name- who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man but of God (that is, a divine and supernatural birth-they are born of God-spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified).

In a world that is utterly confused and searching to know who they are and if they have any significance. As the children of God, we must stand sure of our inheritance in Christ. Our salvation gave us a new spirit separate from the world, transforming our lives from sin. Our belief and study of the word are our guide to our transformation as we grow spiritually.