Justified
Romans 5:1-2, 6-10 (NRSV)
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
Reflection Steps
Paul is telling us that at one time we were sinners, enemies of God. This was what defined us: our brokenness and our resistance to God and His ways. But Christ shed his blood to reconcile you back to God, making you sons and daughters of God.
Today, I want you to make a list with two columns. One column will be headed Enemy and the other column will be headed Son/Daughter. Now list all of the attributes of what it means to be an enemy, and then take time to list the attributes of a son/daughter.
After doing this, play the worship song, and as you worship, reflect on all the things Christ gained for you by transferring you from the enemy column to the son/daughter column.
Worship
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
Reflection Steps
Paul is telling us that at one time we were sinners, enemies of God. This was what defined us: our brokenness and our resistance to God and His ways. But Christ shed his blood to reconcile you back to God, making you sons and daughters of God.
Today, I want you to make a list with two columns. One column will be headed Enemy and the other column will be headed Son/Daughter. Now list all of the attributes of what it means to be an enemy, and then take time to list the attributes of a son/daughter.
After doing this, play the worship song, and as you worship, reflect on all the things Christ gained for you by transferring you from the enemy column to the son/daughter column.
Worship
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