Living in Grace…Boasting in Hope
The big event for today was the installation of new furnace. Ours has been acting up for the past few weeks. My weekly visit from the furnace repairman was reminding me of my own weekly therapy. We are thankful for some recent provision that has helped us cover that expense.
I was thankful for a good workout at the fitness center. I think I even experienced a slight endorphin surge later in the afternoon. That “runner’s high” is something that I have not had a glimpse of in a long time. I guess it shows that the exertion that bring that on is relative to your ability and not a set measurement.
This evening Debbie and I are joining Sue and Sam at Red Robin for dinner. That is significant because last year at this time I was two days from returning home from a stay Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. The night before my septic shock episode Debbie and I had dinner at Red Robin. After that, I lost my appetite for what had been one of our favorite places to eat.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! …hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.” Romans 5:1-5
There many ways to view or describe our relationship and standing before the Lord. Paul writes to the Colossians about their spiritual condition and says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.“ (Colossians 1:21)
Being alienated from God can bring guilt and shame and despair. If our relationship with God and our confidence before Him was based on our own merit, we would always be on edge and uneasy about God’s presence, blessing and love. That is why the first verse of Romans 5 is so powerful; “…through faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ.” When you read those words it solicits a sigh of relief and a message of hope and good news. Not only that but the “place of grace” is our home. It is not what we experience and then it leaves, but it is that which defines our life and guards our life.
Paul goes on and says, “we boast of the hope we have in sharing God’s glory.” Paul was confronted by those who boasted in their spiritual heritage and accomplishments. He often found himself guarding the hearts of early believers from those who would exalt themselves to gain a following. Paul’s commitment on the other hand was expressed in these words, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
Paul also said the focus of his hope was this, “..according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20 NKJ)
When Paul “boasted” of the hope in sharing God’s glory, he realized that that the “glory of God” was found on the other side of suffering. The resurrection of Christ came after the cross, it came after being “despised and rejected by man.” Paul’s understanding of this is clear, because he says, “We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope.” (Romans 5:4)
But Paul knew that his hope would not be disappointed because of God’s grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit who is with us, empowers us and reassures us that we are God’s children. I’m not sure if many would understand if you declared it out loud, but you may try saying to yourself, “I am living in grace, boasting in hope.” Reminding yourself of that each day, as you start your day. It will help give you confidence in your relationship with the Lord and fulfilling His purpose for your life.