(Romans 5:1,2 Phillips) Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future.
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” I am led to go back to Romans 5 and cover a few things. In Romans 4 Paul made it clear that Abraham was justified by faith in God and not by his works. Abraham simply believed God and his faith was counted to him for righteousness. The Apostle Paul opens the 5th chapter by reminding us of the fact that we are justified by faith, making it clear that our relationship with God is now rooted and grounded in Grace, and that we can have a “happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future.” But of course, we will take a closer look at this passage as we seek to glean some things from it.
So what does this mean to you today? Here are a few golden nuggets:
1. We are justified by faith and not by works. We cannot today, nor will we ever be able to earn God’s righteousness.
2. We did not earn God’s plan (purpose) for our lives. God developed it before we were born. God finished us before we ever got started.
3. We are called to live by faith in a God who blesses us by Grace.
4. Grace is how God deals with us and faith is how we interact with Him. God gives us what He gives us by Grace (not by our merit). We access His Grace by faith.
5. Grace puts the spotlight on God and not on you.
6. Grace frees you to forgive yourself of your past.
7. Paul told us that we can have a “happy certainty of the glorious things he [God] has for us in the future.” But here is the mystery of walking with God. While our purpose is fixed and established (it will not change), the vision/insight God gives us about that purpose in incremental and progressive. Incremental, because God will only give us enough clear vision to see how to maximize the season we are in. Progressive, because the more we walk with God, the more we will be able to see. My point is that God WILL NOT show us everything. Therefore, the “happy certainty” we have about our future also comes with a level of uncertainty because God will not tell us everything about our future. If God told us everything: 1) we could not handle it, and 2) we would not live by faith. God gives us enough vision to be able to see certain things now, but He also requires us to live with a certain level of uncertainty about the things to come. This keeps the emphasis on Him, and not you. This keep you Grace-minded while you are living by faith.
8. To live by faith you must become comfortable with a certain level of uncertainty, trusting God the entire way.
9. You may not know how it is going to play out, but if you are walking with God and living by faith, you can have confidence that it will be GOOD!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for what You are teaching me in Your Word. I have been justified by my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not by my works. I could never earn righteousness. Jesus earned it for me and I was made righteous when I exercised faith in Him. Now that I have been Born-Again You are incrementally and progressively revealing Your purpose for my life to me. Before I was Born-Again I had my own plans, but they were man-made and limited. Now that I can hear from You, You are revealing Your divine plans for my life to me, and it is amazing to me that You made those plans before the foundations of the world. You have already blessed me by Grace and I now seek to access that Grace by faith. As You show me things, I step out in faith, with full confidence that they will come to pass, and with a level of certainty that cannot be shaken. But then again, there are things You have not revealed to me yet, and areas of my life where You simply want me to trust You. So where You have spoken, I am certain. Where You have not spoken yet, I am somewhat uncertain, but I am getting comfortable with a level of uncertainty in life. You may not tell me everything when I want to know it, but You always tell me enough for me to maximize the season I am in. Therefore, I live by faith, convinced of what I know, excited about what I don’t know yet, with an expectation of GOOD every day! You shower me with Your Grace, I tap into that Grace with my faith, and I get to enjoy life as I pursue my purpose. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
