February 22, 2021

February 22, 2021

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

I have always found great peace in Paul’s letter to the Romans.  It is a letter written to those who really have no understanding of the Law whatsoever because they are mostly a gentile population.  Yet, the Romans are also an educated people, and are not unintelligent, so the words that Paul gives them are rich in such a way that help us to understand Paul’s position as a Pharisee and teacher of the Judeo law, as well as his understanding of the righteousness or justification offered by God through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

With this dualistic understanding of Paul we can look at the hope that is offered through the Holy Spirit and realize that it does fill us and complete us in God’s joy and peace, but only as we trust Him (or as some translations say: “believe in Him”).  There is a matter of the heart which requires us to let go of what we know that we are capable of doing to let God have control and let Him give us the peace that is not based on our ability to strive and overcome, but on God’s to save and sustain.  I believe it is this sustaining saving peace that Jesus had as He trusted and was faithful to God the Father that though he would endure the pain and suffering of the cross, God would bring the salvation through such faithfulness.  This is the true fulfillment of the Law, to trust in God no matter the cost and follow Him to the cross if necessary and be led beyond into the true hope and power of the Holy Spirit.

May you find the hope that God gives as you complete your journey through Lent, and find your hope, salvation, and sustenance in God alone. 

Grace & Peace,
Sam