From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Fri, Aug 18, 2023 at 5:56 AM
Subject: 8-18-23 THOUGHTS
8-18-23 THOUGHTS
Some key words from our reading: justified, faith, peace, hope, EXULT. Exult means to Glory in something, and we have much to glory in as we read these words! From sin to salvation by the grace and mercy and love of God through Christ Jesus. The effects of our growth through tribulation explode into “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” It’s a great demonstration of God’s love to helpless sinners! PEACE and EXULTATION seem to be the bookends in this reading.
Rom 5:1-11 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
My Prayer:
Father God, teach us to exult in Your demonstration of love for us in Christ Jesus. May our glorying be powerful, and joyful and motivating and sustaining. May we live in the shadow of the cross. May the hope of eternity with You excite each breath we take. Knowing what You have done to give us life, help us to live life fully, awake to all the possibilities You place before us. Keep us from hoarding these wonderful blessings to our detriment. May our desire toward You explode from Your love toward us. In the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Amen.