Faith in Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1-2 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

“1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

The faith to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives is not something which comes from our own flesh. It is not of our own doing. So we do not get to be the ones to define it, either. For this faith comes from God, it is authored and perfected by Christ Jesus, it is gifted to us by God, and it is persuaded of God as to his righteousness and holiness, and of our sinfulness, and of our need to deny self, die to sin, and obey God in life practice, in the power of God. By faith we surrender our lives to God.

What does it mean to be justified? It means to be made righteous, to be conformed to a proper standard, which is God’s standard for how we ought to live as followers of Jesus Christ. And to be righteous is to be morally pure, upright, honorable, faithful, honest, decent, and obedient to God, in practice, by the grace of God, and in the power of God, which is not of our own flesh. For it refers to what is deemed right by the Lord, what is approved in His eyes. Justification is to show what is right, and to be cleared of all charges.

The result is then that we have peace with God. And peace is wholeness, fullness, and completeness. It has to do with us being joined together with Christ, united with Him by faith in Him, no longer separate (apart) from God, but now joined with Him in unity of heart, mind, purpose, and action. We are now in Christ by faith in Him, and He is in us by His Spirit. And we are at peace because our trust is now in our Lord and not in ourselves, and because we know God has all things under His control. So we trust Him.

And what is this grace of God in which we are to be standing? Well, the grace of God, which is gifted to us by God, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return. God’s grace is what sent Jesus Christ to the cross to put our sins to death with Him, and to be raised from the dead, so we can now die to sin and obey God, in practice. For it is God’s purpose that we no longer walk in sin but in obedience to Him.

[Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; Acts 26:18; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Hebrews 12:1-2; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 2:24]

Rejoicing in Suffering

Romans 5:3-5 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

“3Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

All throughout the New Testament writings we learn that suffering is for our good, and it is a necessary component of what it means to believe in Jesus Christ. For through suffering we are humbled, we are drawn closer to the Lord, we mature, and we learn about life and people and God’s plan and purpose for our lives. When we suffer it leads us to go to the Lord, and to seek His counsel and His wisdom and strength. And we become more compassionate people with a greater desire to live for the Lord Jesus.

Suffering helps to mold us into the people of God who God wants us to be to be used for His purposes and for His glory. From personal experience I realize now how much the things I have suffered throughout my life, and the things I am still suffering, how much they have prepared me for this calling God placed on my life 22 years ago. I don’t believe I would have been equipped for this ministry God has given to me had I not suffered the things I suffered throughout my entire 76 years of life. And it wasn’t all bad.

For suffering helps to build character in us. It helps us to exercise much perseverance, even at times when all may look hopeless. It helps us to gain wisdom and understanding of the sufferings of others, too. We learn better how to respond to difficult situations and to people challenging us in our beliefs and practices. And we learn better ways to approach people and to respond to them and how best to word what we want to say. And that doesn’t mean we will get everything perfect, for this is a growing process.

[Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 10:16-25,34-39; Matthew 24:9-14; Luke 6:22-23; Luke 12:49-53; Luke 21:12-17; John 15:18-21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5; Hebrews 12:3-12; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-17; Revelation 6:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 11:1-3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 14:1-13]

Growing to Maturity in Christ
An Original Work / September 4, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Forever with Us

Based off Psalm 46
An Original Work / February 5, 2016
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Be still and know God is over all things.
Throughout the earth, He’ll be honored as King.
The Lord Almighty, forever with us.
He is our refuge when we’re in distress.

Therefore, we have not a reason to fear.
Trials will come, but our God is still near.
He is our helper, so we do not fall.
Mountains will quake, but on Jesus we call.

Joy to the Church, even if sorrow comes.
Enemies rage, but our faith marches on.
God’s Holy Spirit, now living within,
Gives peace and comfort, and grace without end.