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Daily eMail Devotional
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Romans 5:1-10 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.Reflecting back on this past Easter Sunday I am thankful that we can really take some time and reflect back on, as we should every day, the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful, loving sacrifice that was on the part of God. By fully accepting God’s ultimate sacrifice for our sins we are justified by faith. Not only are we, according to verse 1, justified but we also have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. If you think about it, to not be saved would be rebellion against God’s authority. It would be rejecting the work of Jesus Christ and God’s desire for all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:4). When each of us received Christ we became at peace with God but many confuse this with a completely peaceful life which just is not the case.
What is interesting in our passage is that we read in verse 1 of having peace with God and then we read in verse 3 of tribulation. Paul says in between those verses and going on into verse 3, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations.” We are to rejoice in the fact that we are saved and a child of God but be aware that there will be tribulation. There is a purpose to our trials for we read in verses 3-5, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” God intends for us to grow in our Christian lives through our trials. How through trials you might ask? because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Everyone has trials. Even the unsaved have problems as many Christians do. The unsaved get sick, have cancer, have marital problems, financial woes, etc……so what is the difference since God gives peace to the saved. Well, it is not the absence of trouble that brings peace to the sheep but the presence of the Shepherd. It is up to you if you will seek out the Shepherd amidst the trouble.
Love you all!!!
Pastor Mike
Don't Forget -
