Romans 5:6-11
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Devotion
Christ died for the ungodly—those who actually were His enemies (on their part). We are all enemies of God until we are justified through faith in the person and work of Christ. God demonstrated the full scope of His redemption and love by having His Son die for the unrighteous. Jesus died for you and me. That is where God revealed His love. God does not save us by love. He saves us by grace because the guilt of sin has been removed by the death of Christ. As believers, we will escape God’s wrath, not because we are worthy, but because we have been saved by the grace of God. The fact that God hates sin does not make Him the enemy of sinners or seek their ill. His desire is for all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). This truth concerning God’s grace allows us to experience a joy that can only come from being right with God. Peace, grace, and hope are all experienced because of this wonderful doctrine of justification by faith.
Questions to Ponder:
How does your faith in Jesus impact the here-and-now? How do the benefits of justification (peace with God, access to God’s grace, hope, love of God, triumph in troubles, God’s Spirit, deliverance from wrath, and eternal joy) shape your life?
Prayer Points
- Praise God for being a Just God. Praise Him for being the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. Thank Him for His amazing grace. Pastor Bob once said, “God’s richness at Christ’s expense= GRACE.” Oh, thank Him for His grace, and float in the sea of grace right now.
- Thank Him for Your right-standing in Him. Thank Him that You didn’t have to earn this grace nor be smart enough, the right age, culture, family etc., but received it by His blood! Only through Jesus Christ, by grace, you have been saved! Oh, how marvelous; oh, how wonderful is this amazing grace!
Suggested Prayer
Oh, Father, I confess being a complainer and anxious about things around me and in the world. When really, I am reminded, while being in the book of Romans, that I am to be in the world, but I am no longer of it. My citizenship is now in heaven. This life is fleeting, and there is so much more after this. Oh, Father, I am richly blessed because I am known by You. I am in Your household. I am engraved in the palm of Your hand, and nothing and no one will snatch me from You. I’m sorry for being distracted with the things I see. Help me to rejoice and worship You when You give and take away, when life is good and when life is difficult. Abba, grant me a willing spirit to follow You no matter the cost and to count it a joy for the sake and knowledge of knowing and being with You. Lead us and Your precious church, Oak Pointe, into Your eternal encouragement this week. Bless Pastor Bob, Shirley, and all our elders, pastors, and leaders. Protect us by Your name, I ask, Lord. Continue to lead us into the way of Your love so that You will get all the glory and honor. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask. Amen.