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1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:1-11 NRSV)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend! May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be with you and yours is my prayer. May we continue to pray for our world and its health. May we continue to pray for our nation and that peace, compassion, and understanding take hold in every heart and reign in ways that can show God's love for all people. And may we pray for one another, and learn to pray for ourselves and our needs.
Shalom is a word many of us know. We know it to be a Hebrew word for peace. Yet, by simply saying that peace is the absence of conflict or war, we limit the meaning. The word shalom means the presence of complete and total wellbeing in the welfare of the person to whom we say, "Shalom." As I write this I realize that we don't use even the English word that often in our day to day speech. As a pastor I have prayed it many times, and in correspondence I may have closed a letter or two, with the word "Paz," which is the Spanish word for peace. Pax is the Latin word used to describe the Roman Pax, which was more military-oriented than the Hebrew word. When was the last time you wished someone peace? Did you mean it? Okay, don't raise your hands! I can't see you!
The better question is this; do you have peace in your heart dear friend? It's a tough question given all we have seen or felt in the last few days, but to Paul, it was key to his preaching and teaching. Yes, he was a Roman citizen, but he was a Jew. He did not come to know real peace until those days after his life-changing encounter with Jesus. And his life is a good road map for us in terms of where real peace, the "Shalom" of full peace can be found.
Paul was raised well. A natural born Roman citizen, he was educated by the most famous of the Pharisees and rabbis, Gamaliel. Paul became a Pharisee, and was well connected. His connections allowed him to get a high profile job as prosecutor of Christians. And while he may have thought all of these brought him peace, it was not until that day on the way to Damascus that he found the real peace that satisfied him. Paul thought he had found the peace he needed through his years of keeping the Mosaic law. His was a works-based faith; the more good you do, the closer you get to God. And in this thinking, he drove harder and faster in his arresting and trying to stop the Christian community from growing. Jesus showed him a better way.
Ours is a relationship that begins with faith, not works. If we believe Jesus died for us, then we are in. There is no checklist of things that we have done in order for us to be allowed in. Just last week, a dear friend sent out a devotional that I have "borrowed" from very freely, that contained the old joke about the man who dies and finds himself before Saint Peter, who explains that in order to get into eternal paradise, one must score 100 points. The man begins to list what he has done, like singing in the choir, Saint Peter says, "That's good for 1 point;" tithing one point. Teaching Sunday school, another point. Finally, thinking there is no hope, the man exclaims, "So far I only have three points! The way I'm going there's no way I can get it. It seems that only by the grace of God can I get in!" St. Peter said, "Did you say, 'Grace of God?' You're right! 100 points! And you're in!"
Our peace comes through our faith that got us into a relationship with God. The shalom that we need; all of our needs are met in Him. And on top of that, Paul found that we have hope, the hope that shares the glory of God. And, as we encounter the challenges of the world we find many things; our suffering produces endurance. Now, that's faith, to say that things that trouble and bother us can actually bring us something on which to build! And endurance, of all things? Yes, says Paul. And our endurance in the sufferings helps shape us in what we call our character. And our character brings us more hope. And not just any hope, writes Paul, but the hope that does not disappoint, because this hope has been made from God's love that was poured into our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit. And the crowning verse that has blessed many a soul, "For while we ere still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Amen. And then Paul adds, "But God proves His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us." And, all this brings about full reconciliation with God, which equals peace, total peace. The true shalom.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, our lives need peace like never before. The stresses of life have tried to dissuade us from the right path; we need Your peace, the complete shalom that builds and blesses. Father, give us eyes to see that while we may suffer, we are in a building process that will bring greater blessings and joys. Grant to us strength and peace. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of faith today for someone who may be lacking it.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
