Reconciled with God

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community
Romans 5:1-11 (The Message)

Peace and Joy

 ¹Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  ⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
 ⁹Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

For Reflection: What would we do without Paul?  He identifies the beautiful embrace of the love of God.  How can we possibly act out of fear?  God has removed the source of all fear.  How can we not embrace suffering?  In Christ there is hope.  Justified by faith and blood, we have been reconciled to God.  Spend the day rejoicing in this good news!

Pray for those who face fear without God.  Pray that you will stare down fear and find hope in your suffering. Pray that you will rejoice in the living God.