For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Romans 5:10).
He was known as “The Pitch Man,” appearing regularly on television making a “pitch” for all various kinds of products. He would describe the positive attributes of whatever kind of products he was selling, but Billy Mays always ended each infomercial stating, “But there is more”….. and then went on to describe more attributes or additional goodies that came with the product.
Paul talked about “how much more,” we gain. He said, “it was wonderful being reconciled with Jesus through his death, but there is more when we are saved through His life.”
Romans 5:10 deals with our personal relationship with God. Those who trust in Christ are reconciled to God by Jesus’ death, even though we were His enemies because of our sin. In other words, His death in our place for our sin made it possible for us to enter real and personal relationship, something not possible without Jesus.
Having laid the indestructible foundation that sinful man is irrefutably lost. At enmity with God through rebellion and sin and having proved that all humanity have fallen far short of the glorious perfection that God expects from His creation. Paul jubilantly proclaims the triumphant victory of Christ’s finished work on the cross… over Adam’s sin and our inherent sin nature.
Although sin caused us to be weak and powerless to help ourselves, we discover that Christ died on behalf of the ungodly – justifying and acquitting all who believe in Him for salvation and bringing us into a right relationship with the Father … through time into eternity.
It was Christ’s blood shed on the cross of Calvary that freed us from the indignation and wrath of God – which was poured out on Him in our stead. It was not because of our goodness that we were delivered from our just punishment for sin… for it was while we were still enemies of God and dead in our trespasses and sins… that Christ died for us.
Having been made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, while we were still enemies of God and wallowing in sinful rebellion… and having received the free gift of eternal life, by grace through faith in Him… how much more certain is it during this life, we shall be delivered daily through Christ’s resurrection life, from the dominion of sin in our lives.
The Christian life on this earth is a joyous one, but as you contemplate your ultimate life transition remember… there is more!
***
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Cal Thomas’ new book, America’s Expiration Date, is subtitled The Fall of Empires and Superpowers . . . and the Future of the United States. Thomas builds his narrative on an argument advanced by Sir John Glubb (1897–1986), an English officer who served in the newly independent countries of Iraq and Jordan. As Thomas reports, Glubb “found patterns, or stages, in the rise and fall of great nations. He called them the age of pioneers, the age of conquests, the age of commerce, the age of affluence, the age of intellect, and finally the age of decadence.”
Thomas explains: “In general, each great nation or empire begins with some type of pioneer activity, gains territory through battle, and then settles into remarkable commercial activity, which in turn brings great wealth, and with it increased literacy and learning. All begin their final slide when a sense of shared morality and common virtue is abandoned.”
Has America’s “final slide” begun? In light of this pattern, Thomas warns: “If America doesn’t learn from history—our own and the world’s—we are likely to suffer the fate of other great nations, rotting from within before either being conquered from without by an invading army or collapsing under the weight of self-indulgence, decadence, debt, a sense of entitlement, greed, and envy.”
If we think this cannot be our future, our complacency makes it more likely.
— o —
It is estimated that as many as 250 million Christians around the world live in nations where they face severe persecution for their faith. Hundreds of Nigerian Christians have been slaughtered by militant Islamists this year. China is waging war against all faiths, including Christianity. Chinese Christians are being forced to take down pictures of Jesus and worship the communist dictator instead. Facial recognition technology is being used to monitor who attends religious services. The Chinese Communist Party is even rewriting the Bible! Gary Bauer
***
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
I no longer listen to what people say, I just watch what they do. Behavior never lies. Winston Churchill
No matter their politics, people nearly always listen to those who say what they want to hear. John M. Barry
If you and someone with whom you disagree politically are willing to discuss your disputes over a cup of coffee, you’re blessed.
Sometimes we all need to be reminded of how blessed we are. No matter what we may be going through. No matter our stage in life or economic position, we are blessed if we belong to Jesus. If we are seeking Him first in our lives then no matter what we might face or might be dealing with, we are blessed. Marty Stubblefield
Frederick Buechner describes salvation as “an experience first and a doctrine second.”
This is the way the abortion war will ultimately be won: through Jesus Christ changing hearts, one by one. No amount of political force, no government, no laws, no army of Planned Parenthood workers… can ever stop a changed life. It is the one thing… absolutely invincible. Chuck Colson
The greater our challenges, the more necessary our courage. Jim Denison
Fear faces on the giants in your life. Faith focuses on the God in your life. Ken Whitten