Reconciled for the Long Haul

Romans 5:1, 6-11

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 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.

“Here is love, vast as the ocean.” Mankind was in a lost and desperate state, whether we knew it or accepted it or neither. We could not help ourselves. Yahweh looked at our hopeless condition, saw that we needed help, and did something about it. What did He do? He sent His Son to die as a substitute for us (John 1:29; I John 4:10). He took the punishment (death) that was ours (Romans 6:23) and brought us peace (reconciliation) with Yahweh (Isaiah 53:5).

Now, all this took place WHILE WE WERE STILL IN SIN! We were not goody-two-shoes people. We were hostile towards God (v. 10; Ephesians 2:2, 3). Paul says that hardly would anyone die for a good person (Romans 5:7), but “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8). So then, if He did that for us, while we were still in sinful hostility towards Him (Such love!), how much more do you think He will do for us while we have been bought with the ultimate price, reconciled to Him and are poised for eternal glory? Do you think He would now leave you up to waste away? Do you think He is going to purchase a property and leave it to ruin, leave His investment to perish? I think not!

Again Paul says, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV). David also fully grasps this understanding of Yah’s abiding love, He says, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands” (Psalm 138:8, NKJV). Yahweh is not going to start a work in us and leave it part-way. Oh no! In fact, all things that we face are working out that ultimate purpose: to conform us to the image (likeness) of His dear Son, Yeshua, (Romans 8:28-29).

Have you ever felt like a failure at this Christian life, felt like you just cannot make it, felt like you will never get over your ISSUE or your ISSUES? Have you felt like giving up and just live the sinful life you see others living and seem to get through?

Stop!

Have faith in Yahweh’s ability to keep you and to complete the work He started. Paul declares, “For I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return” (II Timothy 1:12, NLT). I know the feeling. I have been there many times. However, as I told a friend, no matter how many times I feel that way, Yahweh always pulls me back. He has put something inside me to hold me back. I praise Him for that. Can I tell you? He has indeed put that same thing in you. He can and will keep us all. His love for us guarantees it.

“Amazing love! How can it be that You, My King, should die for me? Amazing love! I know it’s true. It is my joy to honour You.” ~ Chris Tomlin

Yahweh bless you.

(2015 January 3)