Romans 5:1-11 (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.
Verse 6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Verse 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. Verse 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Verse 9Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. Verse 10For 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. Verse 11But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Devotion
In Romans Paul was writing to a group of Christians who were trying to maintain their faith despite the disapproval of their neighbors. Mere membership in this Christian community was enough to put security, property and even life itself at risk. In these trying circumstances Paul reminded them of Jesus, "through whom we obtained access to this grace in which we stand" (v. 2). He boldly suggested that God could turn their very suffering into blessing—by grace, of course—since "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (v. 3-4). That is to say, God can make us stronger through the painful experiences of our lives. Paul doesn't promise that Christians are exempt from suffering, he promises that God can use our suffering in meaningful ways.
Prayer
God of transformation, thank you for loving me despite my unworthiness, help me to love others as you do. Amen.