The way Paul sees it, there are two ages existing simultaneously in the world: the world of sin and death (the old age) and the world of grace (the new age). The old age is performance based and the new age is based on this grace we receive from God.
Those in this new realm see themselves and others as valued children of God. This changes everything. It is quite a transformation.
For Paul, this transformation is salvation.
"The church, above everything else, is to show what living the new age of grace looks like, to offer new living patterns in this bad habit age, and to be a new community where love, peace, joy, and freedom are a way of life."
A telltale sign:
Grace changes the way we fight
Paul provides a strategy for Christian conflict, unresolvable or unmanageable conflict in which one of the participants is using unfair tactics.
bless, feed, do not return evil, turn the other cheek,
go the extra mile, do not claim to be wiser than you are, show honor, hate what is evil, overcome evil with good
What do you think?
€ Is the Christian life "sweet"?
€ What motivates such grace-full fighting?
€ Which of Paul's marks of the church (Romans 12:921) do you find most difficult to realize?