Daily Worship

Risen Christ, live in me

April 28, 2014 0 0

Romans 8: 31-39

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 18 - 39
Paul knows what it is to go through hard times, and so do the readers of his letter. Chapter 8 of his letter to the Romans (and some of our texts from the Message refer to earlier verses in the chapter) emphasises that it’s not what we have done that gives us cause for hope, it’s what God has done, in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!  Allelujah!  
The closing verses of the chapter are an exuberant hymn of praise to the enduring, invincible, rescuing, healing love of God.  We did our worst to God, and still he comes back; because he loves us.  God uses the worst the world can do – crucifying the Son of God – and turns it into the best thing that ever happened – the salvation of the world.

Even our mistakes can be used, by the grace of God, to make something beautiful.  The acknowledgement of our failures and brokenness makes us look for a Saviour.  Our weakness is the clue to our greatness.

Romans 8: 1, 2  
‘Those who enter into Christ’ being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous low – lying black cloud.  A new power is in operation. The spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, and set you free.’
 

Prayer

Risen Christ, live in me.
Spirit of the living God 
Fall afresh on me.  Amen
 

by David and Maggie Lunan