Another Church

We’re away from home and will be visiting another church this morning. It’s one we visit two or three times a year, so they are used to having us. A different denomination, our visits serve as a reminder that we are all reading from the same scriptures, seeking fellowship with the same God, a part of the same Bride of Christ.

This morning’s Sunday School scriptures include John 3:16 (come on now, most of you can quote that by heart! If you can’t, please look it up and read the entire chapter) and Romans chapters 5-8. Don’t you just love those first verses from Chapter 5:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1 KJV)

That wonderful peace Paul describes later: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Paul reminds us of the state of our souls when Christ died for 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. (Romans 5:6-8 KJV)

There are soldiers dying for our country today. I’m certain they perceive this country as being good while recognizing that some of the citizens most likely are not. Instead of appreciating the sacrifice, some are committing crimes even as I write this and will spend time in prison instead of appreciating a soldier’s sacrifice, instead of living the freedom the solder sought.

Yet Christ died solely to reconcile sinners, to provide salvation, knowing full well that not all would accept His sacrifice: 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 5:10 KJV)

Did it work? Paul provides that answer, too, for those who follow Christ: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 KJV)

We have become children of our King: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 KJV) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16 KJV)

Paul closes these three chapters with an affirmation of his faith that firms my own:

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

May God bless the reading of His word.