Monday, September 9, 2013

Romans 5


Sorry it’s been so long, I have definitely not been keeping up with my reading. School has really started now and the homework is piling on, and things within this household have been a bit hectic to say the least.
Anyways! Glad to be getting back in the groove.

Romans 5! It is almost like a praise report. It is Paul’s response to the “good news” and he is urging his readers to rejoice with him in both hope and suffering. In verse two and three Paul gives us a wonderful recap of what Jesus Christ gave us.               
2-through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3-And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance…
We have been shown what it means to live by faith and what kind of life that prevails and as Christians accepting God is accepting that faith, that relationship, and by accepting both faith and a relationship we are showered with grace. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 Paul says “faith, hope and love are at the heart of the Christian life.” And when God’s love fills our lives it gives us the ability to reach out to those around us.

The other part of this I want to focus on is the comparison between Adam and Jesus. I really love the way verse 12 is worded: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—.“  Just as sin entered this world through Adam it left it (kind of) through Jesus. Adam is the counterpart of Jesus here, and just as Adam represents human creation, Jesus represents a new spiritual humanity. Ugh! I love, love, love this! Then in verse 20 Paul tells us “…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”
We are showered with abundant grace and love from God, and we deserve none of it! He has given us so many chances, I have asked for forgiveness SO many times for the same times it’s ridiculous that He forgives me knowing that I will ask again the next day. Humans are so impatient! It would hardly take us 3 times of one action to no longer forgive a person for whatever they did, and God has put up with it for centuries! This totally convicts me! God is so patient! Who are we to test that? But we do. Like when your sibling “isn’t touching you” we “aren’t sinning.” We push the boundaries of sin and I for one need to truly work on that.

SO. My challenge for you:
1.     Be more patient, in every aspect of you life for AT LEAST 5 days. A work week, that’s it. Just try it.
2.     At the end of your day try to list your sins. Not to put yourself down, simply to see, and maybe since you’re more focused on it you’ll do it less.
Let me know.

Song of the day:
Ode To A Patient God
By: The Arrows

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