Romans 5:1-11 – Friends of God

Read Romans 5:1-11

I don’t know about you, but I sure feel privileged to be chosen by God and to have been made right with him because of my faith in Jesus. It’s so incredible, how can it be true? In life, when opportunities that seem too good to be true come along we tend to be wary and run the other way. Not so with the love of God.

I want to bask in that love and feel the peace of God course through my veins. There is enough struggle and stress in this world, but walking through it with the peace of God is so much better. Calling Jesus friend because of the relationship we are building is also quite a privilege.

I don’t know what kind of challenges you may be facing in your life, but we all have them. This passage is so helpful when you are feeling devoured by some situation. We are told to rejoice when we run into trials. Why? “[W]e know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

We need to remember our struggles define us. We learn from them. We grow stronger. We are not alone. That is probably the best promise of all, but how often do we forget that when we’re caught up in the moment? Take some time to just relish in the thought you don’t have to face this alone.

Who better to have in your corner than a trusted friend? Jesus has made all of this possible by what he did for us. We are not alone. We have been given the Holy Spirit to be our guide, our refuge, and our strength. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Now we have his power to help us when we feel weak. How do you tap into that each day?

In building our relationship with God, we are solidifying the friendship we have. Have you ever known someone in your life who seemed to be unapproachable? Someone who would not very likely ever be a friend? Through common circumstance, you may just find yourselves face to face with that person. The bond begins to grow. Two unlikely souls connected because of a common situation. You share yourself and you grow closer. It’s like that with God, too.

Our creator is standing by ready to be the best friend you’ve ever had. He sacrificed his son for you. How do you respond to that kind of friendship?

Let’s pray. Lord, I love that I can call you my friend. It is such a privilege to be building that bond with you, the creator of the world. I can’t even really fathom how blessed I am by you, God. Continue to work inside me to cleanse me and remind me of the power you have put inside me. I am mighty. I am enough. You have given me exactly what I need to help others around me. Impress upon me this truth. Thank you for your presence and your patience with me. I love you, my friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.