The halfbaked Bard

Rom:5:11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Reconciled with God. Rom:5:10. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. We were enemies. Not destined to come into His presence. Destined to eternal hell far from Him. Destined to punishment for eternity. But now reconciled - by the death of His Son. Not by our goodness or repentance. But by the sacrificial death of the spotless Lamb. It was His intiative, when we never wanted or desired reconciliation. That is when He forgave something which He abhors and reconcile with us. He had all the right to punish us. But He chose to forgive. He chose to reinstate. What a loving God! We only received the reconciliation. Do nothing to reconcile but receive. What a loving God! Image courtesy: https://heartsoulmindstrengthsite.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/reconciled/

Rom:5:5 Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts. This is why we should exult in tribulations. This is why we should be excited when we have to walk through difficult terrain. Because He has poured out His unending love to us. He is Almighty and He loves us to the end. What a superb combo. Then will He not do things for us? Will not all things He work for good? Logically speaking, this is beautiful to think. This is too good to be true. Therefore we can say. He is enough. If He is on my side, who can be against me? Then whom will I fear?  Even if He doesn't deliver, the way I had planned, it is perfectly fine as my character is being build up. Throughout the process I can trust Him. I can firmly believe that God is in control. Image courtesy: https://hbcharlesjr.com/resource-library/articles/my-cup-overflows/

Rom:5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations. Exultation means jubilation, triumphant exhilaration. Exult in tribulations with the same exultation as you exult in the hope of glory (v:2). With the same excitement. Our mentor Dr. Beena keeps saying this, and I had always been perplexed. "I'm excited" when she faces a challenging situation or  as she goes through a difficult terrain. She is excited to see how God is going to take her through. Sure of His deliverance, but super excited to know the path and the final outcome of it all. Because tribulations bring perseverance, perseverance brings proven character, and proven character brings hope. Jesus has promised one thing. In this world you will have much trouble. But the addendum is better. Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.  Looking back, it is easier to be grateful to God for the tribulations we had to go through. But we are asked to be jubilated about the trials forward. Be...

Rom:5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ. Justification is a legal declaration - a one time event. Which happened, but which has continuing results. Yet it is not an ongoing process. Sanctification is a process. Justification is not just a once and for all declaration free of guilt. It is imputing Christ's righteousness upon you. Just as your sin has been imputed upon Christ. We were alienated from God, because of sin. That same sin Christ bore it upon Himself so that we can have access to God, based on His righteousness, not ours. Enemies of God we were. But now we have peace with God. Peace with God is an initial step of restored relation with God. Outcasts and rebels and abominations we were. But now we are friends with God. Overwhelmed by this thought. That God loved me while I was yet an enemy of His and He bought and brought me back. Image credit: https://www.pickpik.com/moon-age-man-person-bank-sit-6123...

Rom:4:22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. Till now we were talking about the saving faith of Abram, which is credited to him as righteousness. Now Paul talks about faith in the promise of God. That also was credited to him as righteousness. So faith is progressive and increasing in Abram's case. First the saving faith, and then faith in his daily challenges. Yet faith is not about the promise. But the promise maker. The promise keeper. Because that promise came from the One and only faithful and true God, it is trustworthy. While claiming a promise, you give importance to the promise perse. Not the person who gave it. What Abram believed is that God said something, therefore I am sure it will happen. When you read the Word of God and as you receive a personal promise, see it as God communicating to you. And because it came from God, it is sure to fulfill. But even if He doesn't communicate beforehand, we are sure of Rom:8:28, Jer:29:11 and Is...

Rom:4:7-8 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven. And whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account. Quoted from Psalm 32. Written by King David. Immediately after being caught redhanded after the adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. David realised he has failed. He recognized that there is utter absence of his personal merit. He sighs inwardly to begin with, if at all God would cover my sin, how blessed I would be. He acknowledged the enormity of his sin, but it is also true that the imputed righteousness is even bigger. The compassionate love of his God is even greater. There is no sin dark enough. That God can't save you. There is no pit deep enough that God can't reach out to you. All you need to do is to just look back to Him helpless. If David would be forgiven. If Peter would be forgiven. If Paul would be forgiven. There is hope for you too, dear one. May be you would have done a more ...