Righteous, Refined, Reconciled

Thanks for being here!

Today’s message is based on Romans 5:1-11

Peace and Hope

Since we have faith, we have peace with God through Jesus.

Before we believed, we were enemies of God. I would much rather be in relationship with Him than to be considered his enemy! However, God sent Jesus to die for all sinners, so he loved us even before we knew Him! That is grace!

I asked another Christian friend after reading her blog if suffering was a test of our faith. She said she takes comfort in knowing He understands. He feels our pain and reminds us that one day, we will be fully set free.

Then, after hearing the message this morning, I learned that through our suffering comes perseverance and through that comes hope.

I could never compare my suffering with what Jesus suffered. Just that knowledge alone kind of makes me want to just “suck it up” and keep on keeping on. I guess that is what gives me the strength to keep moving and trying to stay active so the pain doesn’t worsen.

Suffering also produces character. Yet without God, we would never get through the trials in life.

Since we are justified in faith, we are saved from the wrath of God! Hallelujah!

So, to summarize, we have faith, therefore, we are justified or “righteous” in His eyes. Then, through our suffering, we become “refined”. When we were His enemies, we were “reconciled” to Him through the death of His son.