Freedom Fighters

"Therefore, Being Justified By Faith..."Part four

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5

Today we'll look at verse five.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Along with the Holy Spirit provided gifts of faith and love, hope is an essential characteristic of the Christian. The concept of hope includes things like trust, confidence and refuge in the God of hope. Ever since the fall, all of creation has hoped for redemption. To be reunited with the Father. "He will crush your head, and you will bruise His heel." We have God's promise right from the start, a hope that became a very real in Christ Jesus.

The nation of Israel had hope during their bondage in Egypt that a deliverer would be sent by the God of Abraham. The nation also had hope that God would restore it after it's various times of disobedience throughout its history after the Exodus. God just does not disappoint. He sent His only Son down here to teach us the nature and the workings of the Holy Spirit.

In Old Testament times there were four positions the Holy Spirit took on.
First it was God's emissary to His creation. Second the Spirit was God's lieutenant in the providential work of the moral sphere. Third, the Spirit indwelled God's people. He "clothed himself with Gideon" if you will. And fourth the Holy Spirit inspired the prophets. The Spirit is wise. Sin and rebellion only serves to vex the Spirit.

That is why Christ comes to us in the new Covenant. Jesus comes to teach His followers the true nature and workings of the Holy Spirit. As with the disciples, the Spirit dwells as Comforter, Counselor and Advocate. To help us remember what Jesus said and did. To testify of Jesus working in our everyday living. To reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.

To help us bear fruit, to be filled with as our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. And perhaps like at Pentecost with a mighty wind and tongues of fire to speak of the Love of God. That's when we can go "Therefore, being justified by faith." Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.

God's Word for Today: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42

Think about this: All born-again people are in training for rulership.
Since the supreme law of that future social order, called the kingdom of God, is agape love, therefore their apprenticeship and training is for the learning of deep dimensions of this love. But deep dimensions of this love are only learned in the school of suffering. Purity is one thing, and maturity is another. The latter comes only through years of suffering. If we suffer, we shall also reign - because where there is little suffering, there is little love; no suffering, no love; no love, no rulership. Paul Billheimer

Our granddaughter Lindsay has turned the corner. Read about it on her blog at www.americaskeswick.org. Thanks for praying.