GRACE AND GLORY - PART THIRTEEN

FRIENDS FOREVER

Romans 5:1–11 (NLT)

1 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. 2 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.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

VERSE ONE

The result of being made right by faith is peace with God as a result of the finished work of the cross.

VERSE TWO

Faith positions us for favor. We look forward to the eternal sharing of the glory of God. The sacrifice of Jesus gives us access to authority in the Kingdom that we engage by faith.

VERSE THREE

How do you respond when you face problems? Do you rejoice? What are you expecting to be the result? Endurance is required for running a race.

VERSE FOUR

Character is necessary to develop hope. Is you don’t have any character, you’ll be hopeless forever.

VERSE FIVE

Hope is not meant to disappoint us. It’s meant to propel us into the future that God has for us. The evidence of God’s great love is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s existence is proof of God’s love and He’s the conduit by which we receive God’s love for ouselves and others.

VERSE SIX

When you couldn’t help yourself or offer anything to Jesus, He died for you anyway. He’s always on time. His timing is never off, so maybe yours is.

VERSE SEVEN

Even at your best, you’re probably not worth the sacrifice of Jesus if we’re trying to balance a ledger. He didn’t consider anything but His love for you.

VERSE EIGHT

The love of God was displayed in the sacrifice of Jesus taking place before we showed any redeeming qualities. Who are we to insist that people prove themselves before receiving them into the body of Christ?

VERSE NINE

It’s the blood that makes us right with God. That makes a way for us to be saved from the penalty for our sins.

VERSE TEN

Our friendship with God was restored by the sacrifice of Jesus. He made us right with God while we were His enemies. That qualifies His life to be our salvation. It wasn’t earned. It was given.

VERSE ELEVEN

This changes all the rules. We are now friends with the Creator because we’ve been introduced by His Son. It’s brand new and beautiful and has no basis on the old you.