Romans 5:6-8 We Didn't Deserve It

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 NIV

We recently celebrated Veteran's Day. What a wonderful time to recognize all the men and women who have served our country past and present. These people left home, risked their lives, multitudes giving their life so we could live free and safe here in the United States. Sometimes that thought simply overwhelms me to stillness. I am so grateful for what they have done and are still doing.

But I didn't deserve their sacrifice.

They don't know me. They don't know if I am a good person who should have a safe place to live free. For all they know they sacrificed for the worst human being in the history of mankind. 

That's what Jesus did. He sacrificed his life even though I nor anyone else deserve it. In fact, we don't deserve it because we had turned away from our God and followed our own ways. But He did it anyway. 

And His sacrifice wasn't for safety or freedom for my body. It was for eternal freedom from condemnation and the promise of eternity with my Lord. 

If the sacrifice of warriors moves me to stillness, I am paralyzed by the realization of my Lord's sacrifice for my very soul.

Father, the sacrifice of your Son is nothing that should have been done for me. Forgive me for taking that gift for granted. Help me to share His sacrifice with others so they too can live in the true freedom of the soul. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. How has your life been transformed by Christ's sacrifice for you? Reflect on how far you've come from that undeserving sinner.
2. Read John 3:16 slowly and think about the full scope of its meaning.
3. What hope do you have now and for the future because you made that decision to follow Christ?

Romans 5:2b-5 Hope and Sufferings and Hope….and Love

Read Romans 5:2b-5.

Since our faith is in Jesus Christ and that gives us hope - the hope of eternity with Him, the hope of His Spirit guiding us each and every day, the hope that He is in control, the hope that the Enemy does not win in the end and receives his punishment - then we can rejoice. We know our future and it is fantastic!

But for now, we suffer. Now there are varying levels of suffering and if you are looking here for an answer to that one, I do not have it. Jim and I always say we are blessed beyond what we deserve because we have not had to suffer much at all. Our difficulties have been light compared to what so many others have endured. Would I want to trade places with others less fortunate to diminish a sense of guilt over an "easier" life? Not really. Do I wish there was less suffering in the world? Absolutely! Some have brought the suffering on themselves by the choices they have made, but many have just had to endure living in a fallen world where suffering exists. And it will continue to exist and in fact get worse befor it gets better.

One of the hopes through suffering is as I stated above, it will not endure forever because we know one day the Enemy will be stopped. But that also may not happen in our lifetime. So we must persevere, but we do not do it alone.

Another hope in suffering is that God promises that He is molding and shaping us into the people He needs us to be to serve Him best. Isaiah 64:2 says:

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

There is so much hope in that there is truly a purpose to our life, even in our suffering. We are being made into a better version of ourself if we allow perseverance to grow within us….if we let that perseverance develop our character, and the person we are is then our hope to endure to the end faithful and committed to following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, we can rejoice in our sufferings. Not because of them, but in them. For we know that we are not alone in this journey of suffering or health for God has "poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (vs 5)

The shaping and molding of our humble clay bodies through suffering is not enjoyable. Sometimes it comes with a pain we simply do not believe we can endure. But through the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can. His love endures forever, and by His power, we can, too.

Father, suffering is a part of our life because we chose to rebel against You. Thank You, that even in the suffering there is joy and hope because You have a much bigger plan for us. Help us to persevere, grow in character and hope, and remain in the power of Your love. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read Job and his encounter with suffering.
2. How does positivity affect our outlook on our suffering? How do we remain positive in suffering?
3. How can you give hope to those who are suffering more than you?

Romans 3 Glory Missed

Read Romans 3.

I have been reading this chapter for weeks now in the English Standard Version. I've read it multiple times and the main message I could see is that there is no one righteous - Jew or Gentile. (:10-11) And that we, Jew and Gentile, are only justified and made righteous again through Jesus Christ. (:22) Both wonderful thoughts but nothing revelatory to me. I knew this and celebrate the amazing gift of Christ's sacrifice so I can be made righteous again and reconciled to God.

But here is the verse that got me.

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

I know, you are all saying that is one of the most famous verses in the Bible. It is the first step in The Roman Road. You've known it all your life. Why did it make such an impression now?

The reason came in the NIV Study Bible footnote. "glory of God. What God intended man to be. The glory that man had before the fall. (see Ge 1:26-28; Ps 8:5-6…."

I had always thought of "fall short of the glory of God" meant that we did not live up to His level. And in many ways it does in that our sin separates us from God. But it can also imply that I must strive to reach a level that I can never fully attain, therefore, why should I try. And if I have sin and don't reach His level, I will always fall short.

But when you look at it from the perspective that I was created in His image, designed to be like Him, and that was how Adam and Eve were made, it opens up a whole new picture of who I am in Him and the potential to be made new or made again as God intended through the blood of Jesus Christ.

When I first read the footnote, a tremendous sadness overwhelmed me. We have chosen to lose so much by choosing sin. We have actually lost the glory of God, meaning the praise and honor that was our very essence through His perfect creation. There has been no greater loss than this. We devastated our perfect hope and existence for what? Sin?!?! While there are temporary pleasures, it will always be that which destroys, separates, confuses, devastates, and ultimately kills us.

We were born into a positive world. We were born into glory, and we traded it for death.

BUT, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we can return to that original glory in which we were first created.  Even though I know that I am completely justified and redeemed into a right relationship with God right now. And that if I died today, I would be with Him for eternity. I also know it will not be Eden again until heaven. We will constantly battle the sin we chose to rule over this world. Daily we must take up, reclaim, choose, remind ourselves again that we are covered by the cross and made new through the blood. But even though we must daily, sometimes moment by moment battle the demons within and without, once we've received His gift, we are made so much closer to the original image of our Creator than ever before.

Lord, I grieve for what we lost through our rejection of the glory of You. But my joy cannot be adequately voiced for the hope and the reality of regaining that glory through Jesus Christ. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read Genesis 1:26-30. What glory did God bestow on us in creation?
2. Read Hebrews 2:5-18. What is our hope in Christ Jesus?
3. Do a study of the word glory.
4. How is this post related to my previous post, Here's a Thought?
5. In what way do you see your daily life differently in light of our original created glory?

Romans 1:2-3 The History

2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David....   ~ Romans 1:2-3

Here we see the history of the gospel. The plan before Jesus ever arrived. Now we knew of the trinity from evidences of a divine 3-in-1 existence before this point. But the prophets laid out the specifics. And then even more important to the culture, we see the lineage of Jesus to show His humanity. I just love that the Messiah was a descendant of a man whom God used in powerful ways who was also the youngest of his family and from the least of the tribes. He wasn't expected to do anything, but by God's power, David became a mighty warrior and king. That always gives me hope - He can use even me, and He can use you to do great things for His glory. 

I serve a wonderful God who has a plan. A plan for me. He doesn't just set us to "be" in the world and when we are done, we are done. He loves us so much that He provided a way back to Him way before Jesus was born. 

Jesus was always the plan and He still is today. What hope that brings to a world who so desperately needs Him!  

Lord, help me to show others the plan so they too can have the hope only You can give. So be it. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What Scriptures are the evidence for Jesus' existence from the beginning?

2. Search the prophets for the foretelling of Jesus' birth. 

3. Why does this being the plan all along bring hope?

4. Who do you need to tell today about the hope of Jesus Christ?

Romans 1:1-7 The Gospel and Commission in 7 Verses

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

 It's amazing how much Paul packed into these seven verses. In them we see the trinity, prophecy, the gospel, the lineage of Christ, our calling as believers, and our hope. As well as a greeting to the Romans.

Over the next few posts, I will need to break this passage down verse by verse. But today, I wanted to look at it in its entirety simply to see that being a Christ follower is not complex. Here we see it summarized in six short verses. Isn't that amazing? The power of the Creator who sent His Son to change the world and bring it hope can be written about in just a few words. And yet, we want to make it so complicated.

Jesus Christ did come to upset the apple cart, but not to complicate. In fact, His presence brings more clarity to our lives than we will ever experience through any other means. He is our only hope. We simply must believe and walk in that faith. How beautiful is that?

Father, I continue to complicate your gospel and commission by placing it in time and space; by breaking it down into too many parts; by letting it be overshadowed by my sin and chaos. And it is much simpler than that. Forgive me, Lord. You love me; I accept Your love and forgiveness; I will live to serve You. Period. So be it.

Further Thoughts: 

1. Read this passage again 2-3 times slowly. Let your mind and heart absorb all it has to say. 
2. Read this passage here in other versions. Notice below the passage, you can click on "view in parallel." Then you can select other versions to read. I particularly like the English Standard Version of this passage.
3. Define gospel.
4. Read The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.
5. Write out for yourself in a few words a definition of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Great Commission. Memorize it to be your 30-second explanation you can give if someone asks you what you believe.

Judges 6:23-24 "Death Cannot Hold Me Down"

"But the Lord said to him, 'Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.' So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites." ~Judges 6:23-24 NIV

I'm not exactly sure what the Israelites thought would happen to them after they died. I guess I've never really thought about it before. As I look back at each of the patriarchs' deaths there seems to be a finality to death. The most important part of their death was where their bones were buried.

And then Jesus came and everything changed. He gave us hope of eternity with Him in a place He is preparing for us. Yet we still fret for our safety. Of course there is a natural and understandable human desire to live a long life with people you love around you. We find no joy in suffering or pain. Again I say, of course. But there is so much more to not fear.

How much time do we spend fretting about our loved ones and our own safety? Look at how much time and money is spent on crash reports, helmets, five-point harness car seats. Now hear me, those things are all fine and good. I certainly don't have a death wish for myself or my loved ones. But I think we have become so bubble conscious that it has just put a greater fear of death into our psyche. We, as believers, do not have to fear death because a greater life than we have ever known is waiting for us. This life is like going away to college. We are living in temporary housing in a far away place. It's restrictive and in miniature. It has its joys and sorrows, ups and downs. We work; we increase our knowledge of people and the world, but it's not our real home. That is still on the horizon. And we should have no fear of it.

In this passage, God is reassuring Gideon that he is not going to die in the conflict with the Midianites. So Gideon builds an altar and calls it The Lord is Peace. We've also been assured that we are not going to "die" in the battle. We will just move on from this life to an eternal home. In the meantime, we continue to lift up praise to the Father and rest in His peace.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you afraid of death? Why?
2. How does your fear hinder you from accomplishing all that God has for you in this life?
3. Find a Scripture to hang on to when you have the most fear.

Father, I'm only passing through. Teach me how to be wise and safe, but not live in fear of death. I anticipate the end of the troubles of this world and look forward to eternity with You. In the meantime, use me up right here, Lord of Peace. Amen.

Romans 5:1-2 "Rejoice!"

Therefore, 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. ~Romans 5:1-2

When was the last time I really "rejoiced" about the hope of the glory of God? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that "rejoice" means: "to feel joy or great delight." That word, rejoice, really jumped off the page at me today. Maybe it's because it is raining and it's hard to feel delight on a dreary day. Maybe it's because I have to move everything out of the bedrooms today for the carpet cleaner coming tomorrow. Or maybe it's because I haven't spent enough time lately reflecting on His amazing gift. We can get so caught up in doing things for Him, doing things for our family, doing things for ourselves, that we don't take the time to meditate on how amazing and BIG a God we serve. Life clutters and that noice mutes the voice of joy that should permeate everything I do.

When I take the time I need in solitude to be still and listen. To pour over His Word and let His guidance wash over my soul. Then I remember the amazing joy I have of a Father who loves me and cares about my every step. Then and only then do I remember that the "hope" does not just mean for now, but for my time with him for eternity. Even death will not be an end, but a return to Him. Charles Spurgeon said, "Death is no longer banishment, it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell." I can rejoice now in my life in exile from my true home because my dear Holy Spirit is always with me. And I can look forward to the day when I shall stand before the throne and meet my Lord face to face. What other response can I have to such hope than to rejoice?

Further Thoughts:

1. Have you failed to rejoice for a while? Why?
2. What needs to change in your life so you live in joy again?
3. Do you let the circumstances of life steal your joy? Why? What does Scripture say about that?

Father, I rejoice in You and You alone today. You are my Rock, my Salvation, and my Hope. There is no one that will ever surpass Your greatness. Thank You for my joy. Amen.

1 John 4:7-5:21 "The Recap"

Read 1 John 4:7-5:21.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." NIV

Yes, I am covering a long passage today, but most of the end of John's letter is a recap of all the beginning. Obey His commands and walk in the light; God loves us; we love God and one another. Jesus is God's Son, and His Spirit guides us in the Truth. If we love God and believe in Jesus Christ, we have confidence at the time of judgment. If we live in love with the Trinity, we have nothing to fear in the life to come. Our future is secure. We have hope.

With the uncertainties of today, so many people who were living for the moment or at least the gratifications of this life are floundering. They had placed such hopes in money, jobs, position, possessions and the permanency of it all. The philosophy reigned, "I work hard, I'll make more money. The more I make, the more I can invest in the money market or in land and possessions. The more I invest, the happier I will be in the here and now and secure for the future." That idea and false hope has fallen flat. Now, when you take these temporal pleasures away, what's left?

That's not to say that believers are not suffering with the economic crisis. We see people hurting every week from lost jobs and homes. But for those who believe, although disappointed, they can live in the hope of the Father's hand and a future not built on capital gains, but on a life walked in His light and an eternity in His presence. We will face troubles and discouragements here, but this is just a temporary home. We are made for so much more. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What do the Scriptures say about our security in our salvation? (Living without fear.)
   
2. Do you live in fear about judgement? If yes, why?
   
3. What does Jesus say about our responsibility in helping those who are in need?
   
4. So many people are hurting from the economy. What can you do this week to help relieve their pain?
   

1 Peter 1:10-12 "Prophesy Fulfilled"

Read 1 Peter 1:10-12.

"It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you...." NIV

The prophets knew that they would never see the Messiah on this earth. There job was to report to the people what was to come, not what they would themselves live. In an instant gratification culture, this is a difficult one to grasp. The prophets were being told by the Lord the most important event in the history of man. They "saw" visions of the hope for their people and actually all mankind, and yet they knew they would not live to see it happen. It's difficult to have passion and drive about something we will not see fulfilled. Think about it, you write a book knowing you will never see it published. You build a car knowing you will never drive it. You start a company knowing you will never receive any profit from it. You find a cure for cancer knowing your cancer will not be cured by it.

The prophets watched their people wandering in hopelessness knowing that hope was coming -- but not yet.

We still have the return of Christ that we are looking forward to -- and may never see in our lifetime. But the greater difference is that we already have the salvation that has come. When we promise hope, it's now. When we share joy, it's now. When we tell of a cure for sin and the destruction it brings -- it's now.

Live joyfully in the salvation we have today. We are the of the prophesy fulfillment, so we should be living victorious. Christ has come!

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you living out the joy of your salvation? If no, why not? If yes, how?
2. Is your faith wavering? How can knowing we are living in the fulfillment of the prophesy increase your faith?
3. Listen to this song by Hillsong United, Salvation is Here and be thankful.
   
   

Matthew 18:12-14 "The Lost Sheep"

Read Matthew 18:12-14.

"In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." NIV

This passage is always such a comfort to me. As I pray for family members, friends, neighbors, aquaintances that don't know Jesus, I do so with a confidence that the Holy Spirit is never going to stop drawing them to Him. I don't have any hesitation in knowing that God wants them to come to a full saving knowledge of Him. So my desire, although possibly swayed by doubt in people, meets with His desire -- that all should be saved.

There is great comfort in this. We all know someone that is very far from the Lord and our heart's cry is that they accept Jesus. We've spent countless hours in prayer for the scales to be removed from their spiritual eyes, for their heart to be softened, for other believers to come into their life to speak truth to them. And through all that time, the Lord's Spirit has been reaching out to them -- drawing them to Him. All mankind is precious to Him.

Thank You, Lord, that my heart's desire began with Your heart's cry -- that not one should be lost.

Further Thoughts:

1. What other Scriptures show that God wants no one to be lost or perish? i.e. 2 Peter 3:9.
2. Is there someone you have been praying for a long time to come to Christ? Never, never, never give up. God hasn't.

Matthew 12:15-21 "A New Way"

Read Matthew 12:15-21.

"Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place." NIV

Why didn't Jesus just wipe all His opponents out? He knew they were plotting to kill Him. He knew the evil they were spreading in the name of God and religion. He knew their hearts and their hypocrisy. The same power that He used to heal and call out demons could have been used to wipe out His enemies in one breath. Why? Why did He withhold judgement?

Because of His great mercy. As I go back and read Isaiah 42-44, I see a God who wants to give us another chance. He already wiped out the world once minus Noah and his family because of the evil in men's hearts. But now, He sees a remnant that has some hope. Even in their sin, God sees His chosen people as the hope of the world. And He says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Is 43:19) It's our second chance; our new covenant. He is providing a way out of our sins other than destruction and giving us a hope -- for heaven and for the salvation of the rest of the world through our work.

That's why He endured the torment, persecution and ultimately death. Yes, He could have wiped them out, but for what? So the rest of the "righteous" people could flounder and probably, eventually turn towards their sinful nature. That already happened after the flood. But we now have victory over our sinful nature because the price for sin has been paid through the blood of Jesus Christ. We are no longer slaves to the sinful nature, but have the power to conquer it because Christ conquered sin and death through His resurrection. How much more powerful is a gift when you stop to think of what the alternative could have been.

Thank You, Lord, for a new way, a new covenant. Thank You for your grace and mercy which ultimately led to Your suffering and death. Thank You for second chances.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read through Isaiah 42-44 and remember that this was prophesied about 700 years before Christ. If you think your life is out of control, remember, God has a plan and is in complete control.
2. We are now the remnant, God's chosen people. Search the Scriptures for references to these names and read them knowing He is speaking to you.

Ephesians 2:4-7

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." NIV

Don't you just love the word, "but"? I was a sinner destined for hell and destruction, BUT, God showed me mercy and made me alive in Christ! (The reality of that overwhelms me even as I type.) Stop and reread that sentence again..... A simple compound sentence that describes a 180 degree shift in my eternal destiny. And it's all because of "God, who is rich in mercy." Oh, how I take that for granted. I was raised a preacher's kid, at the church every time the doors were open. I never did anything too horrible -- never took drugs, never stole anything, never murdered -- and yet in my sin I was as destined for hell as everyone else. BUT, out of God's rich mercy and my repentance, I am raised up through Jesus Christ and am eagerly awaiting the day when I will see Him face to face. It doesn't matter what I've done in the past, I am a child of God, co-heir with Jesus Christ, and I have an eternity to show him my gratefulness. I better get started.

Further Thoughts:

1. Through our salvation, how do we symbolically live out Christ's resurrection daily?
2. What does it mean to be co-heirs with Christ? Support with Scripture.
3. Find examples of/verses on God's mercy in the Old and New Testaments.
4. Read Psalm 25:1-7 and 1 Peter 1:3-5 and praise Him.