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The reading for today is Romans 5:6-11.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For 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. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

In the first part of the letter to the Romans, St. Paul explains just how lost we were without Christ’s death for us, and that there was nothing we could do about it ourselves – that there was no deed or work of righteousness we could perform so that God would owe us anything. We were “weak”, or powerless to do anything about it, but Christ died for us.

Paul wants us to know just how much Christ has done for us, that we couldn’t do for ourselves:

1. We have been justified – declared to be righteous, through Christ’s blood. The guilt attached to our sin is gone.

2. We have been reconciled – we used to be God’s “enemies”, but now are in good standing with God. There are no barriers that stand between us and God any longer.

3. We will be saved – we no longer stand in danger of God’s condemning wrath but have confidence that God will never let go of us.

God, in God’s great love, took the initiative and made sure that there is nothing in God’s view that keeps us apart, not now, not ever. How could we not boast in that?

Lord, guard our hearts. May we never take our walk with You for granted, without giving thanks and boasting in all You’ve done, and will do, for us. Amen.

Prayer Concern: For those wrongly incarcerated, that they may receive justice, and for those working tirelessly on their behalf, that they may not grow weary in the work.

Damon Glassmoyer

jwl1040@gmail.com