“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 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”– Romans 5:1-10
LIGHT FOR NOW: God’s character of love has never changed – it is the same for all ages.
The character of God may be misconstrued if care is not taken in the interpretation of scriptures. He could be erroneously seen as one who never relates with or detests the sinner. Texts like Proverbs 15 below improperly interpreted could further paint God in a wrong light. Proverbs 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: But the prayer of the upright is his delight”. The wrong impression began to be addressed from the point of incarnation. John 1:14 “And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”. Verse 18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him”. God lived in the womb of a sinner for nine months. He was never found inflicting sickness or disease on sinners. He attended their parties and even had lunch with them.
John 2:2 “And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage”. Luke 19:5 “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house”. In Luke 9:54 after he was slandered by men, his disciples were infuriated and wanted to call down fire to destroy but Jesus rebuked them sternly. God doesn’t hate sinners; He loves them and He manifested this love in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus which made salvation available for all. Glory!
INSTRUCTION:Broadcast the Father’s love.
CONFESSION: I bask in the Father’s love for me, in Jesus name, Amen.
QUOTE: God is all loving from generation to generation
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ROMANS CHAPTER 5; EVENING: ROMANS CHAPTER 6
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 