Radical Truth

Today's Reading: Romans 5:1-11; Romans 6:15-23; & Romans 8:28-39

Scripture:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

Observation:

The boldness of this statement would not have been missed at the time this letter was penned. For Paul's original audience there was nothing capable of producing this. It was a radical statement because it opened the door to a sanctuary never before experienced.

Application:

The boldness of this statement can easily slip past me unnoticed in today's world. It is no longer radical in concept. I have heard this truth preached regularly from the pulpit. The radical nature of this statement is in the application of it. Peace. That is the promise. Freedom from sin. That is the promise. Joy in abundance. That is the promise. A new life. That is the promise.

Yet many days I wonder around feeling anything but peace. My struggles with sin seem to continue without relief. Joy comes in waves but never stays with consistency. There is something about this once radical truth that feels empty when I search for its fruit in my life.

Prayer:

Father in the verses that follow this one I see something in the life of Paul that is absent in mine. Paul's relationship with You produced a joyful celebration that was greater than anything he faced in life. The reality of heaven tasted so sweet to him that nothing of this earth could come close to interfering with his pursuit of it. He was willing to endure anything and go anywhere to pursue what You placed before him.

In all honesty I do not always get that. If I replay the events in my life that have occurred over the past six weeks I notice a pattern of me getting frustrated with You over things that are incredibly petty compared to the hardships faced by Paul. There seasons when I allow the fear of losing the comfort of my life to become a stumbling block to following after You. I confess that to You this morning as sin.

Father I sense an awakening inside of me that scares me. I am further out on the edge of my faith that I have ever been but I am also fully aware that where I am is not a resting place. Your plans for me are not done. I ask for all of You that You desire for me to have. I lay aside anything in my life that interferes with that and seek your strength is staying strong in the midst of the fight.