Reflections on Christian Living – Lent 2015 Thoughts on Sin, Forgiveness, Relationship, Love and Growth – Part 4
Reflections on Christian Living is in part knowing that we have all sinned, we have fallen short of God’s standard of holiness. This fact is true of ALL of humanity. No one is exempt from failing to please God in our own efforts. (Isaiah 64:6) God is very clear that in our human efforts — without Christ – we can do nothing to measure up to His Holy expectations. The Bible makes this profusely clear in an abundance of passages. For us – this is NOT where the story needs to end. We have a choice to make.
This Lent season, I challenged myself to walk in faith again through a section of scripture which helped me to find God. I wanted to reread and restudy these verses now to expand my spirituality, to grow, to extend my borders and to go outside my comfort zone by digging deeper.
I offer all of you the same opportunity – take a journey along a well paved and ancient Roman Road. In the book of Romans, Paul tells people to realize that in this world there is some bad news – yet in the midst of bad news there is good news waiting to breakthrough into our lives.
By good news I mean God has always loved us, and continues to love us at our very darkest moments. His word says, “That while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ did this knowing that not everyone would accept the gift He made in offering His life. I honestly don’t believe any other human being could do that in total unconditional love. Only Jesus walked in history as fully God and fully man. Only He could make a way for us to be reconciled to God.
I am in awe, just think about this for a few moments: Jesus Christ made a way for our reconciliation to God. His resurrection brings us the possibility of new life in Christ. Jesus died, but he did not stay dead. He – as God – has the power over death. This is the miraculous truth of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The suffering which came with that death and the willingness of God to make such a way is part of the reflections for me during this Lenten Season.
For anyone not familiar with a set of passages known as the Roman Road, they are listed below. Let’s each read and ponder these deep truths in our hearts as we move forward toward the Easter season of joyful resurrection. All of these passages are found in the Holy Bible, in the book of Romans.
Romans 3:10-12
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:6, 8-11
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13
Romans 5:1
Romans 8:1
Romans 8:38-39 This is great news and a wonderful promise.
If you want to go deeper: Follow-up with these verses for dessert to ponder the questions — What now? How shall I live?
2 Cor 5:17, Romans 12: 1-3, and Colossians 3:2
Please leave a comment if you want more information or have questions. Thank you for reading.
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