January 20, 2009 - Romans 5 : 1-11

God offers every man peace and joy through Jesus Christ "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand". Not only do we gain salvation through Christ, we are blessed with peace and joy which our time on this earth. But behold, not only should we rejoice in the grace that we have, but also in the suffering that comes with it. 

Suffering >> Perseverance >> Character >> Hope 

Hope does not dissappoint us, says verse 4, because the root of hope itself is Christ alone. By believing in Jesus, we have our salvation and our treasures in Heaven prepared for us. Because of God's love for us, allowing His Son to save us, we are able to see the light of day. 

Verses 6-8 speaks truth. "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man... But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

We were neither righteous nor good, but as sinners, the crappiest of men, the ones that need saving the most, Christ died for us. 

What a wonderful God.. 

Amen.