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And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. —ROMANS 5: 11 The last treasure is a trumpet of joy. The grace experience should cause joy to swell up inside us. That should lead us to joyful worship of God and joyful testimony to man. If as a Christian, we find either worship or testimony more an obligation than a privilege perhaps we need to recheck our grace experience. It is fitting, then, that the last treasure is a call to worship. What else could it be? I defy you to read Romans 5: 1– 11 slowly, thoughtfully, and prayerfully, as you meditate upon the seven wonders in your own life, without experiencing a renewed urge for worship and praise of Christ. His riches continue to shower upon us year by year, day by day, and moment by moment. I dare you to contemplate the power and love and goodness of the living God, to let His love flow over you today, and not feel a soul-deep joy, an all-encompassing peace, and a rising courage to face the challenges that this week brings to your life. […]

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while 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 5:9-10 Sometimes it’s easier for us to grasp that Jesus died to save us than it is to understand that he remains concerned as we try to live out our lives as His disciples. Perhaps this is because the life part is completely personal. Although we say Jesus would  have died for me if I were the only person on earth, we don’t really have to rely on that because we aren’t alone on this planet. He does care what each of us does with the grace He gives us. Part of what we get with grace is a life map. This is not a map that tells us exactly where we will go; it is a promise that He will be our life and our Lord, that He will accompany us and empower us for every destination and every path. Jeremiah, David (2006-03-07). Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond […]

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —ROMANS 5: 5– 8 I had given up watching the news. It was too discouraging. I have gotten drawn back in the last few days. Nothing much has changed. I am reminded of that Dione Warwick song, “What the World Needs Now.” With all the violence, murder, hate on television, it’s clear most of the world has forgotten how to love. They have even forgotten what it is. Probably saddest of all is that many Christians have forgotten. We have manufactured a loveless gospel. Our testimony seems to be law based. Our message seems to be get right or go to hell. Somehow we are shocked that the world is not listening. We have forgotten that our Lord […]

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. —ROMANS 5: 3– 4 After glorying in our righteousness in Christ, our personalized access to God, and our promise of eternity with Him, we get hit with tribulations, and not just tribulations, but glory in tribulations. Has Paul lost his mind? He certainly knew about tribulation, he had much of it. I speak as a fool— I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes […]

And rejoice in hope of the glory of God. —R OMANS 5: 2 We have considered the seven treasures of grace from the first few verses of Chapter 5 of Romans. We have considered the treasures of the declaration of righteousness and the access to God. Grace also blesses us with the promise of Heaven. We get glimpses of what heaven will be like that can sustain us in a world that often reminds us that it is not our home. It’s like a music box that has the enticing melody of a far country, one that lies ahead. A music box is only a simple piece of machinery; it cannot suggest what the full orchestra can produce. But it is a reminder, and our imagination does the rest. This is a fine treasure indeed— a treasure that offers hope— and the traveler cherishes it. Jeremiah, David (2006-03-07). Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God (p. 89). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition Our frustration with earth increases as the end draws near. On Sunday our senior pastor announced a teaching series for men whom he described as the only hope for our nation. Men […]

  Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. —ROMANS 5: 2 The second great treasure of grace is access to God. David Jeremiah refers to access to His grace, but goes on to say:  “The word access is only used three times in the New Testament, and it always refers to the believer’s access to God through Jesus Christ.” Jeremiah, David (2006-03-07). Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God (p. 86). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. This treasure is so glorious is that it is revealed to us in stages. We can only take it a bit at a time. It is the basis for our sanctification. It’s more personal that a long distance access to a God in heaven. It’s access to a God who lives in us and us in Him. It’s a presence that assures that we never need to be alone, afraid or powerless. Being in the glorious presence of God changes us. His presence, through the indwelling Holy Spirit is constant. Our awareness of it is shifting. He defers to our free will and allows us to shut out even his mighty […]

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. —R OMANS 5: 1 There is a common misunderstanding about our legal system. It can not declare an accused to be innocent. He can be found to be “not guilty.” The charges against him can be determined to be substantiated or unsubstantiated. The accuser can even dismiss or withdraw the charges. The accused is still not determined to be innocent. I know personally how frustrating this is. A charge, once made, however unfounded and untrue, still hangs like a cloud. Amazingly, the grace awarded to the person who is in Christ through faith is a treasure. Grace is as David Jeremiah says a seven fold treasure. The first and most precious treasure is a parchment on which the innocence of the accused is confirmed. This innocence exists even if the accused was guilty of the sin, which, in fact, we all were, and some still are.  Whatever existed before, now there is just innocence. It’s a declaration not only of innocence but of righteousness written in the blood of Jesus. “Justification means that the war is over. Before the cross and before the […]

I lived in California for several years while I was in the military. Most of it was in northern California, which I love. I have never been a fan of southern California. Yesterday after a surprising early arrival at LAX, I got my rental car and on a whim drove up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu. I had forgotten that Pepperdine University is in Malibu. I got my undergraduate degree from there but never set foot on the campus. I took all my classes at a military base near San Francisco. The drive was breathtaking. In that area mountains  run into the ocean creating dramatic drop offs and one beautiful scene after another. The picture above is of Pepperdine. I wish had had attended classes there. I stopped to eat at a beach cafe. It was expensive but fun. I was reminded how a very few of us look good in swim wear; most of us, not so much. I had the good taste not to remind any of the diners of that and was grateful I was fully clothed. For supper I ate at a small Mexican place. It was obviously family run and the customers, except […]