Romans 5:1-8 (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.
Devotion
Look what happens when the Lord comes near! St. Paul understood the blessings of God as the gift of peace. When God comes near, this peace fills the soul so that despite the brokenness of our world, people of faith can stand justified and confident in God’s grace. When the Lord is near, we can discover that our sin does not alienate us from God. Instead, God proves God's love for us in that Christ died for us even when we were still sinners. When God comes near, we can stand forgiven and filled with peace because we know that the sufferings of this world will ultimately lead us through endurance to character to the certain hope that Jesus wants to hold us near always.
Prayer
Lord God, forgive me the sins of this day and lead me to your gift of hope. Please, Lord, continue to pour your love into me through the gift of the Holy Spirit that I may know your peace. Amen.