Our shield of faith is one of our greatest tools against the evils of this world. God hates pride and arrogance, anything that man values above Him, making the things created little gods in our lives. Although He is always near to those who call on Him He will bow out of any areas of our lives where we don’t invite Him in. God honors faith but those who choose to be the god of their own lives will have no peace. The pursuit of material things and the desire for power and control are the biggest obstacles to faith in culture. By placing our trust in them and not in God it creates a wall between us and God that only Christ can bring down. He will not share His glory with unrighteous mammon. Holy Spirit will show us the folly of our ways.
Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Moral character matters and when we don’t make it a priority in our lives or do not require them of others we are allowing the lack of them to influence us. But we must always remember that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God but He loves us anyway. He can touch the lives of others and what is impossible with us is possible in Christ. We regards others in empathy and compassion knowing that by grace we have been saved and not by our righteousness but in His.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
We are justified by our faith in the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior and not in our own righteousness. in Him we have peace with God. Jesus died for the sins of the world and in His sacrifice mankind was offered God’d gift of salvation. By faith we enter into God’s mercy and grace. Carla
Peace here is not a subjective feeling of peace. Rather, this peace is the state of being at peace instead of at war. The hostility between God and the believer has ceased. The believer has been reconciled to God. To have access means “to approach,” as if by introduction into a king’s throne room. Believers have been granted admission to stand before God. Even though they were once rebels, they do not have to face His judgment. Instead they approach His throne in the realm of grace, or in the King’s favor.
Rejoice means “to boast” and hope means “expectation.” Believers boast in the sure expectation of the glory of God. They are confident, for God Himself has placed the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Glory is the same Greek word that is translated “rejoice” in verse 2. Believers can rejoice, glory, and boast not only in their future hope but also in their present troubles. Tribulations refers to physical hardship, suffering, and distress. Perseverance means “endurance.” Trials and tribulation produce endurance when we exercise faith during those difficult times. Such faith produces its own reward (Matthew 5:10–12; 2 Timothy 2:12).
Perseverance produces character, the quality of being approved. As believers endure tribulation, God works in them to develop certain qualities and virtues that will strengthen them and draw them closer to Him. The result is fortified hope in God and His promises. The hope that believers have of their future glory with God will not disappoint them by being unfulfilled. They will not be put to shame or humiliated because of their hope. The reason the believer can be so confident is that the love of God has been poured out. The moment a person trusts in Christ, that person receives the Holy Spirit who constantly encourages them in their hope in God. The NKJV Study Bible
PAUL has argued extensively that salvation comes only through faith. He assumes that conclusion here, using it as the starting point to expound on the implications of being declared righteous by God. Paul uses this word peace similarly to how it is used throughout the Old Testament to describe well-being, prosperity, safety from harm, and deliverance from enemies. This peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is the result of having been declared righteous by faith. Faithlife Study Bible.
Romans 5:10–11 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
Luke 21:19 By your patience possess your souls.
Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
We are invited and encouraged to take all that we’ve learned with us. But it is up to us to cultivate that soil. Making space for that healing and expanding power of hope.
And, it is why we remember that no one of us is on this journey alone. As we are reminders to one another to make that space for healing and hope. Sabbath Moments
James 1:17 (ESV) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
When God allows us to endure trials, His end goal is for us to become more "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:4).Sometimes a hard season in our lives can test our hearts and produce spiritual maturity. Good gifts may not always be what we want, but they are what our heavenly Father determines we need. Instead of relying on our own wisdom to interpret what we are facing, let's turn to God's Word to remind us of our Lord's perfect plans (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 33:11), unending grace (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:8) and infinite mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23; Ephesians 2:4-5). He is the light on our darkest days. And as He illuminates our perspective, we stand firm in faith even in our trials, trusting His motives are always good and His gifts are always perfect. First5
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