D. L. Moody gives us understanding of this by telling a story of a former slave woman in the South following the Civil War. She was confused about her status and asked: "Now is I free, or been I not? When I go to my old master he says I ain't free, and when I go to my own people they say I is, and I don't know whether I'm free or not. Some people told me that Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation, but master says he didn't; he didn't have any right to." As we seek to follow Christ, we find that we can be confused on the same point. Jesus Christ has given us an "Emancipation Proclamation," but our "old master" tells us we are still slaves to a legal relationship with God. We can live in bondage because our "old master" has deceived us.
Our Thursday night Bible Study is studying Romans. To help comprehend some of the teachings in chapter 5, we are attempting to read 5:1-11 each day.
Somehow, our living God unfolds His Word to us when we spend time with Him; wanting to know Him more; listening for His heart to be revealed through His words to us.
By reading passages over and over we are often able to see things we may have missed earlier. I also find that reading the Scriptures in various translations or paraphrases can add new dimensions to my understanding.
I haven't done my Bible Study "homework" as faithfully as I would have liked, so I might get the grade of a C, if I were evaluated. Even so, it's been a good practice... very good.
This morning I was reading the verses in The New Living Translation and it hit me with a POW!
It is the most incredible, amazing thing to be made "right" in God's sight; to be made "right" before the Majestic, Almighty Creator of the Universe...The One who has the power and authority to destroy us.
It is beyond my human comprehension that He says we are His friends.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines friend:
b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3
: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4
: a favored companion
A relationship of friendship, with God, because of faith in what He has done through Jesus.
Yeah. Amaaaazing!
Part of the "POW!" I received, came due to a vibrant connection between the words that I read and a song that my son had shared recently. The song has managed to remain as background music in my brain for the past few days.
(Sometimes when I see music videos, the actions of the people involved distract me from the words. Often I don't watch, but just listen and I "hear" better. I wonder if you find that to be true as well?)
Here is the Scripture, followed by the song. I hope you too, feel a POW!
Romans 5:1-11
New Living Translation (NLT)
Faith Brings Joy
5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 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.
6 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.
