Romans 5:1-11
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.
Reflection - Life!
I am righteous before God. You are righteous before God. We all are righteous before God, but not because of one tiny thing we have done. We are righteous before God because of what God has done through Jesus. We are righteous before God and in our faith in God live a new life. We live a new beginning that is far different from the start of what we have attempted on our own.
Because of what Jesus did for us on that cross and because of Jesus' resurrection we can live a new life. A life that produces a new fruit. A fruit of God that comes from our faith in God. A fruit that comes even through the storms, the drought, the wind and the pounding rain of life. We produce a fruit that endures. This fruit endures, not because of us but because we have a God that cares for us in and through the tough times of our life. A God that knows how it is to live on this earth and in this flesh and with the sinfulness of all the world around us.
Yes, we are righteous before God because of Jesus life, death, suffering, teaching, healing and resurrection to new life after he defeated sin, death and the devil. We are righteous in our faith in God. So, we can jump into life knowing that our fate is secure. We can live life to a fullness that could only be realized through faith in God. We can charge into battle, we can rush into the wilderness with a strong faith that our result is sure and already taken care of... we will come through and live everlasting life with God... in relationship with God... not separated from God... but united with God in Christ Jesus.
And as we jump into life, full strength, we produce the fruit that God has made to dwell within us... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, faithfulness, generosity and gentleness. All of the characteristics we have been taught and shown by our Savior, Jesus.
So, knowing that we are righteous before God because of Jesus... we live... we live hard... we go at it in a strength that is beyond ourselves. We live knowing the outcome of our living is resting in the hands of the only One who could take care of us anyway. We live by faith with God. Thanks be to God!
Here is a song that celebrates Jesus, the One who makes us righteous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR8rlTIU8_Y
Prayer
Lord, you came to me at the right time, the perfect time, the time when I needed you the most. You came to me and showed me a different way. You came to me and brought me from death to life in you. As I follow in your will and your way, guide my footsteps that I may produce the fruit you desire... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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