Romans 5:1-5 (NRSV)
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Chapter 5Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Verse 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Verse 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, Verse 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Verse 5and 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.
Devotion
If there was a television show called the Top Ten Bible Verses, it would do a great injustice to the totality of Scripture as it speaks to every human situation. But if we were tempted to create such a show, Romans 5:1 stands a good chance of making the cut. It strikes at the core of a theme we discover in the first pages of the Bible and re-read many times all the way to the end. That is, the relationship between God and humankind has been damaged and needs fixing. Romans 5:1 reveals how, in the “grand courtroom” where we humans are on trial for instigating that broken relationship, God has bent over backwards to heal the rift. Justified describes what God has done. Faith describes how we humans appropriate God’s actions. As we peacefully leave the courtroom, we say: “I need to learn more about what just happened!”
Prayer
Holy Father, daily I rejoice that I have been put right with you through faith in your beloved Son Jesus Christ my Savior. Empower me to demonstrate this harmonious relationship in every aspect of my life. Amen.