December 10, 2018 – Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2.

How can we have confidence and look forward with joy to sharing God’s Glory when all around us is despair and doom? 

No matter how wrong our world may seem, no matter how we stumble, we are right with God when we believe in Jesus Christ.  Sinless He came to earth, sinless He lived on this earth, sinless He died on the cross, and God raised His only Son from death.

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7.  

Believing in Jesus Christ gives us the confidence and joy of looking forward to God’s glory.  It wasn’t easy for Noah to build an ark during a drought; for Abraham to travel as God led, with no idea where he was going; for Moses to lead the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt to the promises land when they grumbled and complained all the way.  What are we called to do?  Trust in the Lord!

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!  Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  Hebrews 10:35-36.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3.