With Faith I Can Accept Grace and be at Peace.

Romans 5:1-11
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Paul's main idea in this passage is to emphasize faith. His powerful words talks about our salvation and in general the Christian faith. Verses 7 and 8 really stand out to me when he says, "Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

I should tell you that if I didn't have faith I don't think I would be able to stand up to God today. I know that I make mistakes, but because of my faith God has shed grace on me and reminds me everyday that I am blessed to know him.

How do you go to God? Do you keep in mind that he has given us the gift that allows us to approach him easily? We all need to appreciate that priceless gift.

We don't receive grace because of anything we've even done. Instead, it's the fact that we acknowledge that we are sinners and have seriously asked for forgiveness.

I also believe it is important that even in the worst of times we honor the great Peacemaker, God, and rejoice and worship in his name. There's always something to show gratitude for and that's God and his grace!

"If you want peace, work for justice." ~Pope Paul VI