Coffee With The Lord

This is what I wrote in the margin of my Bible after reading Romans 5:1-11 during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning… “Wow! The awesome benefits of being “justified” – experiencing “justification by faith!” (Hey, you really ought to read it for yourself in the Bible and check me out!)…

1. First of all, the most obvious benefit – I’m made “right” with God – His righteousness is credited to the account of a guilty sinner! But getting right with God is just the beginning! Ther are so many other wonderful benefits accrue to us as a result of that experience! Here’s my personal list based upon what Romans 5:1-11 says…

2. Peace with God (not just peace that comes FROM God – I am at peace WITH God – I’m right with God)!

3. I have God’s “grace” to “stand in” – God’s grace (everything I need that He freely provides) is the foundation for my life!

4. I rejoice in the hope that one day I’ll share in the glory of God (heaven – being in His presence forever)!

5. I am even able to rejoice when I’m suffering, knowing that my suffering doesn’t destroy me – it develops me!

6. And over it all, God’s love is poured lavishly into my heart every day through the Holy Spirit that God gives me!

7. Oh, and I can’t help but add one more that’s described in the verses that follow (verses 6-11) … We rejoice because we have been saved from God’s wrath (which, incidentally, is His righteous response to sin that has not been dealt with) and we are reconciled to God!

Wow! Praise the Lord! Getting “right with God” through faith in Christ

CHARACTER MATTERS!  Just the other day I was leading a DISCOVERY Bible Study about David being “anointed” for kingship in 1 Samuel 16.  The question arose, “What do you consider to be key qualities you would look for in a leader of an organization if you were examining a resume, following up on references, or conducting an interview of a candidate?  Almost immediately someone suggested “QUALITY OF CHARACTER!”

CHARACTER IS IMPORTANT – even essential for God’s favor and blessing! 

In a passage I read this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” (Genesis 13-14) Abram exhibited character on several accounts… 

First he exhibited it in his generous and accommodating attitude to his nephew, Lot, avoiding ongoing conflict and allowing Lot to choose where he would go with his flocks, herds and possessions. 

Secondly, he expressed it by immediately marshalling his men and resources to go to Lot’s rescue when he was captured by enemy armies. 

Finally, and perhaps most telling, Abram displayed character by refusing to take any spoil from a pagan king with the explanation, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich!’” 

Listen, I am convinced that the covenant blessings assured to Abram in this passage and others were the result of God honoring the character of Abraham  (cp. 13:14-18 and chapter 15)!  These were blessings not earned, but freely given to a person who exhibited “faith-obedience” toward God and overall godly character.

I WANT TO BE A PERSON OF GODLY CHARACTER – A PERSON GOD CAN BLESS – DON’T YOU?

We tend to look at the people listed Hebrews 11 – the great “Faith Chapter” – as those who lived above failure. They did great things “by faith” and could not have ever sinned. But that will NOT stand up to scrutiny – the record of their lives proves otherwise!

Abraham (also called Abram) – the “father of faith” is a case in point. I read a chapter today during “coffee with the Lord” that includes both the positive outcome of faith and a faith-failure (Genesis 12)…

First the positive: the spiritual outcome of faith in

Abram/Abraham’s life and experience! It has been an example for all believers through the centuries! AUTHENTIC FAITH LEADS TO/RESULTS IN OBEDIENCE! When God spoke to Abraham and challenged him to “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to a land that I will show you… Abraham went as the Lord told him.” And his “faith-obedience was “counted to him as righteousness” by God! (Genesis 15:6) That is why, I believe, that Apostle Paul spoke of “the obedience of faith” in Romans 1:5 and 16:26 (at the very beginning and the very end of Romans). Authentic faith leads to and results in obedience!!

However, the tragedy is, Abram’s faith-obedience was short-lived! In the same chapter (Genesis 12:10-20), rather than trusting God to protect him, Abraham arranged for Sarai to tell a half-truth and thus jeopardized her sexual purity. As a consequence, a pagan king ended up rebuking Abram, the same guy had a reputation of reverencing and trusting God!

So what’s the deal? … Faith leads to obedience and results in God counting us righteous (i.e. it results in something called “justification”), but those who have demonstrated “faith-obedience” and experienced “justification by faith” sometimes have “faith struggles” and fail! What should they do? They should acknowledge their failure (it’s called “confession of sin”) and ask God to forgive them (check out 1 John 1:8-9)… AND HE WILL!