“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 NET
Our righteousness is powerfully declared by Jesus Christ,
not as a result of our actions or adherence to the law, but solely because of
His profound sacrifice and work leading to the cross. It is through our genuine
believing loyalty in Jesus that we have access to this extraordinary grace—an
unearned favor from God that is offered to us as a lavish gift, free of charge
and without any hidden conditions, except for our readiness to receive it by
faith.
This incredible grace establishes our secure standing before
God. He has promised to transform us, who were once seen as outcasts and
strangers, into His dearly loved children. We are not only accepted but also
appointed to a significant role in Christ, trusted with the mission to reflect
and radiate His glory throughout the entire world. This divine calling empowers
us to live purposefully, showcasing the love, hope, and truth found in Jesus to
everyone we encounter.
We can truly rejoice in the profound truth that we have been
“bought with a price.” This price, though immensely high from a human
perspective, perfectly embodies divine justice and grace. Jesus Christ, through
His sacrificial death on the cross—a moment marked by agony and love—paid this
extraordinary price, fulfilling His covenantal obligations and settling the
overwhelming debts we owed, debts that we could never repay in our own strength
or righteousness.
By taking on the full responsibility for establishing this
covenant, Jesus addressed our inherent inability to uphold it. He lived a
sinless life, fully embodying God’s law in every thought, word, and deed. His
perfect obedience laid down a pathway for us to re-enter a restored
relationship with our Creator, who longs for fellowship with us. His atoning
sacrifice didn’t merely fulfill the ceremonial and moral requirements of the
law; it completely satisfied the covenant in its entirety, removing the barrier
of sin and making it accessible for all of creation to transition into a new
covenant of grace through His resurrection and present advocacy.
The beauty of this truth lies in its profound simplicity—our
only requirement is to embrace this remarkable gift of grace and respond with
our believing loyalty. Through this faith, we are invited into a transformative
relationship that offers us not only forgiveness of our sins but also renewal
of our hearts and minds, alongside the promise of everlasting hope that
transcends our current circumstances. This gift empowers us to live in the
light of His love, equipped to share that same grace with others around us.
Our hope extends beyond simply anticipating what the future
holds; it fuels our desire to find joy even amid our current
struggles. Suffering is an intrinsic part of the human experience, a shared
reality that each of us faces due to the fallen state of the world. While we
navigate the challenges of life, whether they be heartbreak, loss, or
hardship, we are reminded that our true identity is not rooted in these trials.
We carry the scars of our experiences, and each struggle leaves an indelible
mark on our souls. However, this is not simply a hardship; instead, it provides
us with the remarkable opportunity to understand our position in Christ more
deeply. We are not merely surviving; we are being equipped to thrive as
overcomers, for Jesus has already triumphed over the world’s tribulations. His
presence within us infuses us with the strength and resilience needed to face
our challenges head-on, empowering us to emerge victorious in the face of adversity.
Exploring the transformative outcomes of our suffering in
Christ is crucial for cultivating a resilient character and fostering
profound virtue in our lives. Each quality intricately weaves together,
fashioning a robust foundation of hope that sustains us through life’s most
daunting challenges. Our suffering in Christ cultivates endurance—a steadfast
and unwavering resolve that empowers us to cling to the faith of Jesus, even in the face of trials
that may seem insurmountable. When we wholeheartedly embrace His faith, we
become resolute in our pursuit of endurance, driven by the divine strength
He graciously provides.
This endurance becomes the cornerstone of our character,
profoundly shaped by the richness of Jesus, His attributes of unconditional
love, unshakeable joy, serene peace, and boundless compassion. As we navigate
through our hardships, these noble qualities take root within us, transforming
our hearts and minds to reflect His image more clearly. Ultimately, when we
surrender ourselves to this profound process of transformation, the sole
outcome of our suffering is a deep, resonant joy. This joy doesn’t just fill
our hearts but also endures the tests of time, promising never to disappoint.
This joy empowers us, fortifying our faith and inspiring others on their own
journeys, weaving a tapestry of hope and resilience in a world longing for
both.
Trials and suffering, though undeniably challenging, play a
crucial role in our spiritual formation, serving as powerful catalysts for
transformation. These experiences help us cultivate resilience, nurturing a
steadfast spirit that remains unshaken in the face of adversity. God’s singular
requirement is our belief—an active trust that can take many forms, from silent
prayers in times of turmoil to acts of kindness or service to others that
reflect our faith in action.
Through the Holy Spirit, God’s magnificent love has been
lavishly poured into our hearts, igniting a deep and vibrant awareness of His
unwavering grace. This love is not merely an abstract idea; it is a
life-changing force that envelops us in warmth, instilling a profound sense of
worth and belonging. It is an extraordinary gift, freely offered to all of
humanity without conditions, expectations, or the burden of having to earn or
deserve it. This divine promise assures us that we are cherished and accepted
just as we are, inviting us to wholeheartedly embrace this beautiful truth and express our faith with boldness, joy, and purpose.
The central purpose of our mission is to cultivate a profound
and transformative relationship with God through Jesus Christ, one that
resonates throughout all aspects of our lives. This transformative journey
empowers us to reach out to others, enabling them to experience the
life-changing presence of Jesus through the authentic love of Christ that we
express in our everyday actions and interactions with one another.
Evangelism transcends the mere act of sharing our faith; it
is about moving beyond feelings of guilt regarding the hardships faced by
people in various nations and cultures. Instead, it embodies a commitment to
developing a genuine awareness of God’s presence in the lives of those in
need, beseeching God for His mercy and intervention in their lives. Our
responses can take many forms, such as dedicating time to serving local
communities, lending our energy to support impactful causes, or
providing financial resources to those in dire circumstances. It is crucial,
however, that each of these actions is undertaken with a listening heart,
attuned to the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that our efforts
reflect His will rather than being merely reactions driven by transient
emotional impulses or societal expectations.
God desires us to be responsive to the Holy Spirit, as He wants
to be glorified through the lives of those who heed His call. Our mission is
far more profound than merely easing physical or emotional suffering; it is a
heartfelt invitation for God to unveil His unparalleled glory in our lives and
within the lives of others. This journey calls us to embody His love and power
in tangible, meaningful ways, as we navigate the complexities of modern life
and remain faithful to His guidance in each circumstance.
Stephen Barnett
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