Audrey Bauman

Romans 5: 3 – 11   (NLT)

“ 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.”

“ 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.”

So does life go smoothly when we accept God’s gift of forgiveness?  “NO”, says Paul. We will face “problems and trials”. But is there a positive outcome from these difficulties?  Yes.  We “develop endurance”, and that helps us develop “strength of character”.  And that strength increases our hope in God.  Does it really work that way?  

Do you know a Christian who has gone through a really difficult situation?  If so, I’d encourage you to ask them how they got through it, and if their faith in God made a difference.  I can speak from my experiences that it definitely made a difference.  I’ve managed to come through many serious health issues with my husband, and then his death. There were hard times when my daughter was divorced, especially since she has chronic health problems. I have discovered that God has given me strength just when I needed it. Through these struggles, I’ve become more convinced that God loves me. 

Do you know which words I love the most in these verses?  “Our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God”.  Isn’t that absolutely amazing? Think about your best friend.  Think about how much you value his/her support and just how much you appreciate just being yourself with him/her.  Think of all the times you’ve laughed and cried together, or all the times you’ve come to each other’s aid.  God wants to be your friend – God IS your friend.  

Now I know our friendships here on earth aren’t perfect.  We let each other down more than we’d like.  And those verses admit we are not perfect in the friendship department with God either.  But God’s extreme love and patience was shown when “our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies”. (v. 10) God is the perfect friend, and He wants us despite our imperfection.

Really think about these eight verses today.  Let them soak into your mind and heart. You could not be offered anything better than this in life.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I can’t say it enough.  

If you’re having a difficult time, and wondering if there is any hope in whatever you are facing, contact Deb Toth, our Care/Adult Ministries Pastor. Contact any one of the elders. I am one of the elders and I would be willing to talk with you. None of us will give you a list of things to do to make it better.  We can listen, pray and offer hope because we know God loves you too.

Our song for today is Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher.