~ Reconciled ~

[Lani]

Romans 5:1-11
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.


"if, when 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 (NIV)


Dan and I had been friends since college. Although we moved to different parts of the country after graduation, we kept in touch. One evening during a telephone conversation, Dam and I began to argue about our plans for a camping trip. The argument grew tense, we exchanged heated words, and we eventually hung up without apologizing. For three months, I did not call Dan, and he did not contact me.

During my devotional time one morning, I realized that I was still angry with Dan. I knew that my anger would continue to grow if I did not face it and deal with it. I prayed and asked God to forgive me, and then I called Dan and apologized. He also apologized and asked for forgiveness. We talked for more than an hour, prayed for each other, and set up a weekend for our long-delayed camping trip.

All of us were once separated from God, but through Christ's death on the cross, we are now reconciled to God. We can rejoice in knowing that we are no longer God's enemies. Through the gift of Jesus, we have a relationship of peace with our Lord.


Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your grace in Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection reconcile us to you. Amen

Prayer Focus of Day: Those Estranged from Loved Ones

Thought for the Day: Call or write someone with whom you have unresolved differences, and begin to mend that rift between you.

Story shared by: J. Hendrix (IN)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional 7/16/11