FAITH CHANGES EVERYTHING!

ROMANS 5:1-3:  “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

OBSERVATION:  Faith changes everything!Faith changes our Position, our Provision, and our Perspective!

POSITION:  Before we placed our faith in Jesus Christ we were positioned as enemies of God.  Our lives were broken from fellowship with the Lord, and we were under the power of sin and death.  Sin, guilt, and shame were common place in our life.  As a result we were bound by fear and worry.  Peace eluded us as a constant in our lives.  When we placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we were both forgiven and fully pardoned.  We were justified before Him through faith.  It was the free gift of God, not the result of our works.  When we embraced this free gift through faith we entered into a new life.  This new life is now free from the power of sin and death.  This new life is now filled with the presence and peace of God.

PROVISION:  Now, having peace with God, we are free to enter into HIs presence.  It is an invitation to live with the Creator of the Universe through the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  It is an invitation to enter into the Holy of Holies to find grace and help in time of need.  In times past this most sacred place was only open to the High Priest, and only once a year.  It is now open to all who believe.  It is our access into the very Grace of God!  It is through His Grace that we stand.  We are saved, sustained, empowered, and led by His Grace.  There is no trial or temptation that is stronger than His Grace.  When we are weak, we become strong – through His Grace.  Like the Apostle Paul we experience the wonderful truth – His Grace is sufficient!  Grace is the wonderful provision received through faith in Jesus Christ.

PERSPECTIVE:  We no longer look at this life as if it is the “end all”.  We see a life beyond this temporal existence.  We possess a purpose beyond this earthly lot.  We look with hope for the glory of God.  We look at life now through an eternal perspective.  We are not bound by the tyranny of conventional wisdom, but live daily by the wisdom that is from above.  We do not store up treasures here on earth where moth and rust corrupt.  We now store up treasures in heaven by investing in His Kingdom and in the life of His saints.  This hope of glory gives us purpose and stability in the face of the storms of life.  Through His Faith, and the provision of His Grace – we know that all things are working together for good, because we love God and are called according to His purpose!  We now see life through the eyes of Jesus!

Faith releases us to live for God.  It releases us to live with God.  It releases us to live in God.  Faith releases us – TO LIVE!  This is what overcomes the world – even our faith in Jesus Christ.  Lord, today may I live through Your Faith, in Your Grace, and walk in the abundance of Your Peace and the Hope of Glory!  In Jesus Name!