The Difference is Hope

Romans 5:2-5

The Message (MSG)

5 1-2 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

The other day I went for a long bike ride by myself. When I am out in nature alone I often talk to God and sometimes He speaks to me. On this day I was complaining about my life and how unfair it was. I sensed Him telling me two things. I feel like I need to share them.

1 - God is still good. 

For some reason we think that our lives should be easy and good. All the time. I don't know why we have this idea. It's not helpful and it's not true. The Bible specifically tells us that we will have troubles in life. We have no guarantee of good times in life. We are actually told that we will have troubles, but that we have Jesus to help us through them. (John 16:33)

I know that it is so much easier to get through the hard times by thinking this way. My baby died. I am sad and wish it didn't happen, but I am not questioning God and why He would do this to me. I am looking for what he wants me to learn and how I am going to help other people through the terrible circumstances that I am in. In my grief, I still have hope and I want to share that hope with others. 

2 - Salvation is enough.

Jesus died for us. That is enough. Everything else is extra. No matter what else happens to us in life, if we believe in Jesus we will get to live with him in heaven when we die. 

Romans 5:3 was in my head when I woke up this morning. I like the version I found from The Message that's at the beginning of this post. I want to be in "the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting praise".