Devotions for Thursday, August 11, 2011

Today’s passage is a little more heavy.  If you have a hard time understanding or need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask.

Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Pastor Ben’s Commentary:
-“Justified” here means that God sees us as right with Him and treats us that way based on faith.
-Faith in what?  Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ righteousness or right standing with God is given to us.  That is justification.  When we trust in Jesus as the Way we are made right with God, our faith in Him leads us into a right relationship with God.

Here are some questions you can answer about today’s passage to help you understand:

1.  Paul, the writer of this letter (Romans) tells us that our justification gives us three other things.  What are they? (v.2)

2. Paul also says that our justification leads to us being able to take “glory in tribulations” (tribulations mean difficult circumstances).  Why did he say that tribulations would be good?

I’ll make sure the questions are answered tomorrow!

Application:

1.  My salvation was made possible and given to me by God, not me.  There is absolutely nothing I could do to earn it.  It was earned for me by Jesus Christ.

2. Faith in Jesus doesn’t just lead to hope one day, but hope now.  God has a purpose in everything that comes into our lives.  He wants us to learn patience, experience, and hope- the kind of hope that makes us bold about how we live our lives for Him.

Faith is the right response to God’s love in sending Jesus!