The letter to the Romans is usually regarded as the great New Testament document on the subject of justification by faith. I suppose that anyone who has considered the messages of the different books will immediately state that the letter to the Romans was justification by faith. But that is not all. If it is the main thing, this letter goes a long way beyond justification by faith. It really embraces something of everything. Its range goes back a long way before ever the need for justification by faith arose, and it goes a long way beyond the redemptive program. Its range is from eternity to eternity.
Years ago, I found myself in an interesting place. I was a Christian who was living for God and I even had my own ministry, but I wasn't really enjoying my life. As I sought God about it, He began showing me that joy is a major part of His plan for us. He doesn't just want us to be happy "when"—when Friday gets here...when it's time for a vacation...when people do what we want. God wants us to live with His joy—it's part of His will for our daily lives!
The phrase "love the unlovable" is often used to encourage acts of kindness and compassion toward those society finds difficult to accept. While its intention is noble, the wording subtly reinforces a problematic idea: that some people are inherently unworthy of love. Let's challenge this notion. Labeling someone as "unlovable" reflects a subjective judgment, often shaped by cultural biases, personal grievances, or superficial characteristics.
We've all been disappointed at one time or another. Disappointment is that gut-level feeling of just being sick over what might have been … what could have been … what should have been. "We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom. 5:3-5, NASB).
Such excitement stirs within us when we allow ourselves to think about plunging into the deep and glorious realm of the Spirit. Our imaginations visualize great spiritual adventures of the supernatural kind such as dreams, visions, healings, heavenly visitations, and creative miracles. And yes, all of these and so much more await us as we plunge into the deep with the Spirit.
Turn Your Health Around! Does it sound impossible? Are you facing a negative diagnosis from your doctor? Or even a devastating diagnosis? Maybe your body is the one that is giving you a bad report!? James, the half-brother of Jesus had great insight into the source of many of our problems. He says: "Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
The Bible is filled with examples of God communicating through dreams. One particularly powerful passage that highlights this truth is found in the book of Job: "In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. In order to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man, He keeps back his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword."— Job 33:15-18
The Holy Spirit often speaks to me in parables, allegories, dreams and visions. One night several years ago, while reading the bible, He revealed a powerful allegory to me. He showed me a mother eagle hovering protectively over her nest with her baby eaglet inside. Knowing that the eaglet came into full maturity and that it was time to fly, the mother eagle gently nudged the eaglet out of the nest. As the eaglet plummeted, the mother swooped down, rescued it, and placed it safely back into the nest. She did this several times until the eaglet learned to fly on its own.
When we study the lives of the kings of Israel, one name stands out as a man blessed by God: King David. Despite his grievous sins, including adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite (2 Sam. 11), David is repeatedly called "a man after God's own heart" (1 Sam.13:14, Acts 13:22, NKJV). His heart for God allowed him to find grace, even in the face of moral failure.
Our lives are filled with many events that could easily leave us in a depressed and sad state, however, when we have Jesus on our side and our faith in him is firmly planted, this state does not last. Knowing that Jesus is with us, we can face life's challenges with courage and confidence. When we trust in God, we can experience a joy that is unspeakable.
Follow Up
