Saturday 24 May 2014

Background

The verses from Romans describe how "since we are justified byfaith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.1). Justification means that we have been made righteous and areunconditionally and completely accepted by God. It is not our faiththat saves us, but Christ in whom we have faith. Through Christ weare guaranteed the gift of inward peace. Like Christ, we may sufferand endure and hope. Yet those who have faith in Christ discoverwithin themselves the continuing gift of God's love, poured intoour hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Today is the anniversary of the day (link to ) on which JohnWesley felt his heart "strangely warmed" as he listened toMartin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Wesleydescribes how he felt assured of God's love and forgiveness: "whilehe was describing the change which God works in the heart throughfaith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I didtrust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance wasgiven me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved mefrom the law of sin and death."

To Ponder

• What helps you to hope in times of suffering andendurance?

• Wesley said: "... and an assurance was given me that he hadtaken away my sins, even mine ...", reflecting a human tendency tofeel unworthy of God's love. Yet through God's love in Christ weare worthy. Consider what this means for you.