Romans 5:1–21

January 30, 2013

Faith is what makes us right with God, and when you are right with God you have peace with God as well and an inexplicable peace settles over you—no matter what the earthly circumstances of your life. The surrendering of our will and the acceptance of Jesus' death as payment for our sin, opens the door for God's grace and blessing to flood into our lives.

And the result is:

• We have hope when things look hopeless; 
• Joy even in the midst of trouble; 
• Patience is built in the midst of trouble as we wait on the Lord; 
• And that patience builds character that cannot be obtained in any other way.  

 As you change, you find yourself having more hope; and God promises that "this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts." (Romans 5:5) It's ALL about Him. IF—we surrender and accept his gift of salvation, THEN—we change, and we develop hope, joy, patience, character, and back to hope. All because of His love being poured into our lives. We can't do it on our own. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is only because of the love of God pouring out His love through the Holy Spirit that hope is possible even in the worst of circumstances. Faith produces hope; hope produces joy; joy produces patience; patience develops character; character produces hope; and the circle of faith continues. 


Next Entry: Romans 6:1–23