10-13-20   THOUGHTS

Rom 5:6-11   For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Matt 5:39   "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
I’ve heard a lot of men say ...  I just couldn’t do that! Let me choose my sin Lord...  I”ll do anything, but   I can’t/won’t do that!
Matt 5:44   "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Reread the Romans 5 passages above.  Isn’t that exactly what God did in His Son Christ Jesus?  He loved the enemy and turned the other cheek.  
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”     These were enemies that killed Christ!  Me!
The song...  “I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers...”  I AM THAT ENEMY THAT CAUSED GOD TO TURN HIS CHEEK!  JESUS HAD TO DIE!
Listen to verse 9 again.    “having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”   WRATH WAS MY DESERVING!  The whole idea of God’s wrath being appeased or taken away is tied up in the word PROPITIATION!
Another song uses the words... “to look on Him [CHRIST] and pardon me.”
We EXULT IN GOD!  Barnes well says “... we rejoice in God himself; in his existence; his attributes; his justice, holiness, mercy, truth, love.  The Christian rejoices that God is such a Being as he is; and glories that the universe is under his administration.”  Amen!
Col 1:19-22   For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21  And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22  yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach — 
What a JOY to know the things above!  Thank you Lord!

My Prayer:
Your Grace and mercy and love in Christ Jesus spreads out before us Oh God!  We see, we hear, we believe.   Thank you, we lift up your awesome name.  Teach us to live what we believe.  Help us to love those who believe.  By your power, Oh God, cause us to love those who do not believe and are against us.  You cause it to rain on the just and the unjust.  May we learn Father God.
In the name of Jesus who saves us                  Amen