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
These verses are a panoramic view of the fantastic results of salvation in Christ. "We have been made right in God's sight by faith" is how the New Living Translation renders verse 1. Do you know God personally through faith in Jesus? Have you responded by faith to the offer of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus, thus confirming your baptism? If so, you have three marvelous gifts that result from this personal relationship. First is peace with God (v. 1) because of the reconciling work of Christ on the cross. We can be at peace with God because our sins – past, present and future – are all forgiven. Second, we stand in grace, through no merit of our own (v. 2). Third, we can rejoice in our present sufferings and look forward to our future home in glory because we have the Holy Spirit living within (vv. 2b and 3).
Prayer
Father, I confirm my faith in Jesus as my savior. Thank you for the gifts of peace, grace-filled living and joyful future with you. Thank you as well for my present suffering, because I know you are working out your purpose in my life. Amen.