20151220
Christian faith is anchored in genuine personal experiences based on the Bible, God’s Word. Yet, after years of attending Church, the average Christian can easily slip into spiritual lethargy. Our study of Romans 5:1-11 should bring us back to that place of rejoicing in our relationship with God once again. In Jesus, “we have peace with God“. We have a completeness of being in harmony with God. Rom 3:23 tells us that in sin, we “fall short of the glory of God“. Now, through Jesus, we have been restored to know our Immanuel (God with us). How have we continually sought Him as Lord of our every moment?
Through Jesus, we have “access by faith into this grace“. God’s grace (favour) is now upon us. As you reflect on God unveiling His amazing grace at every turn in your life, does it not cause you to lift up a thank offering? Exulting in our hope in Jesus also means we are excited to get going to share with somebody about Him in our lives.
As we “glory in our sufferings“, God is at work in us. Adversity, trauma and death seem taboo subjects to a Christian. That ought not to be so. Note that the Apostle Paul does not speak of peace and prosperity, of health and wealth. Rather, Romans 5 characterizes the Christian life as remaining steadfast in faith. Are you fraught with negative thoughts? Downcast? Make room in your thoughts to see how God wants to build you up.
Through Jesus, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us“. This divine agape love is fully available to us who were once “helpless, hopeless, ungodly, sinners and enemies of God“. His unconditional love is one that bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things. Consider the most stirring testimony we have heard of persecutors of the Christian faith committing their lives to Jesus. This was due to a Christian’s selfless, quiet forgiveness, moved by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate God’s love despite the violence and turmoil suffered. How will you draw upon that irresistible power of God’s love that lies within you today?
The climax of our rejoicing is not in a blessing or a song but in God Himself! When journeying through life, the destination at each point must surely be in coming before God in worship. Have you known how adoration, strength and hope are lifted up in moments of worship? God bestowed His amazing grace for us to come into His Presence exulting, and go out into our world rejoicing! What an Amazing Grace from our Amazing and Loving God!
