I'm really excited, because one of my good friends is flying in today for a visit! It should be a good time! :)
This morning we are going to read from Romans chapters 5 & 6.
Lets Dig in!
Romans 5:3-5
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Now, I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do when I'm going through trials is rejoice....complain-yes, get upset-yes, frustrated-yes.....But Paul writes that we can REJOICE!! Because those trials help us grow in our faith, by helping us develop endurance and character!
Romans 5:6-8
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
I like how it says "Christ came at JUST the right time". God's timing is always perfect. When we are waiting for an answer from God, we have to remember that in God's perfect timing He will reveal His will to us.
This verse shows us again how VERY MUCH God loves us!! What it says is so true...alot of us wouldn't be willing to die for good people, let alone our enemies! But Christ in all his love, grace and mercy died for all of us sinners. How amazing!!
The last part of Chapter 5 goes through and compares Adam (the first human God created) and God.
Romans 5:18-19, 21
Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christs one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Cecause one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It is so comforting to know that Sin no longer rules over all people, but now God's wonderful grace rules in its place! Thank you Jesus for dying for our sins! And showing us sinners all of your grace and mercy!
Romans 6:3-6
Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.
I was baptized, I believe, around the age of 7. I knew that the Bible said we should be baptized after we became Christians to profess our faith. But I guess I really didn't know the full meaning!
To me, these verses really explain what it means to be baptized! The symbol of being baptized is that we died with Christ and were raised to live new lives as Christ's followers. He washes away our sins, through baptism. Sin has no power in our new lives!
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thank you Lord for that free gift of eternal life!
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