Romans 5:1–11 (NRSV)
Read Romans 5:1–11 on biblegateway.com
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 this reading from Romans we are finally given a sense of peace. From our thirst in the wilderness, to the sorrow of forgotten memory and failure to see God’s provision for what it is, we are brought to peace. Paul declares our peace comes because we are justified through the Lord Jesus Christ and we now stand in grace. As we stand in grace, the hope and glory of God shine through us and peace reigns forth. This is a beautiful image. And then we keep reading only to see that true peace goes hand in hand with suffering. Peace is not the absence of affliction but resting in the justification and grace of God in the midst of our suffering. As we go through our own times of sorrow and pain we can know that Christ is close. The way of Christ, and the reconciling work of God, invites us to step into the heartaches and pains of the world and know that in those places God is at work.
Prayer
God, make us a people who draw near to those who are hurting. Make us a people who join your reconciling spirit in our homes, neighborhoods, and cities. Teach us your ways of presence and peace. Amen.
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