Rejoice!

Romans 5:9-11 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Easter candy has been put away, or consumed. The Easter Sunday sermon still echoes in our minds. And we recall how the seats at the Sunday service were filled with many who are not regularly in attendance at worship services. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia, Amen!

So, now what? It's a long stretch between today and Christmas. What is a good Christian to do? Would you believe we should embrace the advice of the Apostle Paul and rejoice? That's right, we should rejoice. After all we have much to be rejoicing over. When we fully consider what has been done for us in Christ, we do have cause to celebrate. On Good Friday we remember the death of Jesus on the cross. His death is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Our debt has been paid in full. But. Satan would have you think otherwise. And that would be erroneous thinking. Satan will constantly try to convince you that you’re still a slave and that your sins are too grievous to be paid for by the grace of God. The full truth is you and I are freed from the death that is in sin. There is no additional To-Do- List, or extensive set of laws to fulfill. Done, finished, game over. If we remember verse 9 from Romans 5 we know that "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!" Life is good! The price paid for this freedom was the blood of the Son of God. Jesus went to the cross for you and I. And for that we can be thankful. The price He paid is one we could not and still cannot even on our best day.

Romans 5: 10-11 serves as an excellent reminder of our current condition and how we can live the rest of our lives in Christ. For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Rejoice my friends for we have been well and truly saved. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia, Amen!

PRAYER: Lord You alone are the source of our salvation. Our hearts rejoice at the freedom paid for on that cross. We who were lost sheep have been returned to Your flock. For that we are eternally great flu and offer this humble prayer of thanksgiving in the name of Jesus, who with the Father and Spirit are one God now and forever, Amen.