Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness of God Through Faith
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:19-25 ESV)
REFLECTION
Love infused unity in the Christian community is vitally important, but it is hindered if / when offence and unforgiveness creep into the hearts of believers. And because of the frailty of humanity and the ongoing struggle with sin, the temptation to take offense and harbour unforgiveness is a reality. But, we need not soak in sadness or drown in despair. There is hope. Jesus Christ is our Living Hope. As we prioritise spiritual intimacy with Him – The Perfect One – taking our sin, sadness and unmet needs to Him in honest, heartfelt prayer and ponder His promises with thanksgiving, we can trust our merciful Maker to meet those deep needs that those He made are not able to meet. And as we pursue deeper spiritual intimacy with the One who made us, we are able to better love those He made. The order of priority and expectation is crucial. Why? Because our Maker is perfect and those He made are most certainly not, but we are deeply loved by Him and the struggle for love infused unity is part of the sanctification and transformation process of becoming like Jesus Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2 ESV).
For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. (Romans 8:29 AMP)
I’m not minimising the suffering we experience here on earth and in community, but I am highlighting the fact that we have Living Hope in and through it all. So – irrespective of what we are going through – we can pray and ponder God’s living and active promises, with expectancy and thanksgiving (and, in turn, be empowered to endure). Why? Because…
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 AMP)
PRAYER POEM: Only You
My merciful Maker ~ thank You for all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Please help us fix our gaze on You – The Perfect One – ever mindful that we are one in the Son.
Deepen our belief, for only You can give us righteous relief. Only in You can our hearts know true rest, and be full of confident expectation, trusting that You are with us in every trial and test.
