The second benefit is what the Spirit of God is doing in our lives. He is making us ready for heaven. He helps us pray. He changes our thinking. He makes sure all of our trials are good for us. He shapes us to be more like Jesus. 

The third benefit is that God is now our Father! That means we’re important to him! He won’t let anything happen to us that he doesn’t think is good for us. Nothing can separate us from his love. 

Even with all these benefits, I still have one great heartache. I wish the Jews weren’t missing out on what God is doing with us. They’re my earthly family, and I’d give anything for them to have salvation. I’d give up my own salvation, if they could have it. 

Still, I understand that their rejection of Christ doesn’t change God’s promises to Abraham. I must always keep in mind that God’s promises aren’t to those who happen to be born into a particular family. God has always selected a people for himself from among the crowd. 

The Jews can blame no one but themselves, because God has made his plan simple. People are saved if Jesus is their Lord and they believe that God raised him from the dead. Anyone can be saved if they call upon the name of the Lord. 

Don’t you see? The fact that Israel is rejecting their Messiah is your opportunity. You can now be brought into God’s family! It’s like cutting a branch off from a tree and grafting in a wild branch. Israel has been cut off temporarily, so that the Gentiles can know God. 

But don’t get too proud! If a natural branch can be cut off, how much easier it would be to cut off the grafted-in branch. The time will come when the Day of the Gentiles will be over. At that point, God will turn the tables, and Israel will accept salvation. 

Take advantage of God’s mercy while you can. Give your bodies to him as a living sacrifice. Put aside sin and live a life pleasing to him. Change the way you think and act. 

Now, here is a list of things you are to do while you live for God on earth: 

• Work in concert with your fellow believers. Everyone has his or her special gift from God. Together you make up one body. 

• Have a high standard of living, and focus on what God wants you to do. 

• Submit to civil authorities. Just because you have a heavenly home doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible to earthly government officials. When you resist them, you’re resisting God. 

• You’re not to owe people money. Instead, you owe them your love. So pay it with interest. 

• Always live like your time of service is about over. 

• Don’t be distracted by fleshly desires and lust. Instead, start acting like Jesus would act. Listen, God deals with each of us differently. So, honor each other’s walk with the Lord. 

One person is obeying God by setting aside a particular day, or not eating certain foods. Someone else obeys God by treating everything the same. What does that matter to you? The Lord has an individual relationship with each believer. 

Having said that, you should also be conscious of the fact that some people are still weak in their walk with God. You’re at liberty to follow your own convictions about things, but you’re not at liberty to trip up a fellow Christian. Your job is to build them up—not tear them down by the things you do. Those who are strong in the faith have a responsibility to watch over those who are weaker. 

Well, here are my plans. I am going to Jerusalem to deliver the offering that was taken by the churches here. When I’m done, I plan
to stop by Rome on my way to Spain. I have wanted to meet you for so long! 

Greet all my friends in the Gospel. They have faithfully worked with me throughout the years. 

Oh, one more thing. Watch out for those who make a big deal out of little things. Avoid them. Their smooth talking can hurt weaker believers. 

Everywhere I go, people tell me about your obedience to Christ. Everyone here wants to send greetings to you. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.