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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)
I have always loved the progression of this passage for it speaks of real-life experiences from which we can be blessed. As we walk through the passage, let God speak to us about where we are, what we are facing, and how we can be blessed. Paul starts by reminding the believers that we who have surrendered our lives to Him have been justified by faith. Our salvation, our right relationship with God, has come to us by faith. It cost Jesus His life, but it comes to us as a gift. And this gift brings us peace through Jesus Christ. Peace is essential for life. It's not just the absence of conflicts, but the powerful presence of God Who provides comfort and peace for our entire wellbeing. Then Paul slams out that we can boast in our sufferings. I know very few people who boast of sufferings, but as Paul understands this, and if anyone knew about sufferings, especially for the sake of serving the Lord, it was him! If you've read his own accounts of his ministry, you know the list, but he shares what we could call the step ladder of hope. Those who suffer in faith, are given the gift of endurance; that ability to withstand almost all. things. And Paul says, "endurance produces character;" for it shapes who we are because of what we experienced; and "character produces hope," because the well-tested and well-shaped person from personal experiences knows there is a way out, and that is hope. Paul concludes, "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." Paul understands that in this process of suffering and afflcition, God has been at work shaping the outcome, and the desired outcome is the love that only God can give to all. Paul further says that during our stage of weakness God acted in allowing Jesus to die for us; and as difficult as it may be for us to comprehend such an act, for usually it is rare for anyone to die for a righteous person; but it was at that very time that God proved His love for us "while we still were sinners," and justified by His blood, and because of that we are saved.
This was a process of reconciliation, which is what God desires for all the world. No more outsiders, or uninvited, or unwelcomed; reconciliation is the process of bringing in all, for all are welcome. The once far-off are brought near; the forgotten are remembered; the unloved are embraced with love, and the ones who thought death was the only option, now receive life. That, dear friends, is the Church's message; and it should be the Church's lifestyle. The rich, the poor, the have and the have-nots are equal in God's sight and all are welcome; no one is turned away.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for all You have done for us. We thank You for Jesus and His love. We thank You for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to guide and bless us. Help us model the life of reconciliation for all people; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Model a life of reconciliation with all people today.
Receive my blessings of joy and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
