“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” — Romans 5:1-2
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Coaching is a high-pressure occupation. Many coaches enjoy savoring a victory for a few hours before they have to start preparing for the next game. Successfully managing a team takes wisdom, patience, tenacity, strategy and many other qualities that play into decision making in all areas. It also requires boundaries and expectations be set. Few coaches get excited about making rules and enforcing them. In some cases, though, coaches are too lenient in order to keep players happy. In the long run, rules and consequences are a necessity as long as players can experience redemption when they genuinely express remorse and mend their ways when confronted.
When Adam and Eve were caught sinning by eating the forbidden fruit, they tried to hide in the bushes. Even though the Lord knew exactly where they were, He asked about their whereabouts: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?'” (Genesis 3:8-9). Before that day, God and the first couple were always close, but sin brought separation.
In every case, our wrongdoing brings consequences. In spite of God’s disappointment in our sin, He enjoys forgiving us when we are truly repentant for our transgressions and then try to do better. Even though Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden, God provided a covering for them (for modesty but also as an emblem to represent the atoning of their sins). An animal was slain to make clothing from the skin for proper covering. “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The first death in history was the death of an animal killed by God to cover sinners.
In several of Paul’s writings, the Holy Spirit led him to explain the beautiful way we’re brought back to God based upon the incredible sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Though our sins put us far away from God, peace is possible. God is always in the right place but we need to move and be corrected. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).
In other words, our faith in Christ makes forgiveness and restoration a reality. Jesus paid the price for our salvation, but we need to believe and surrender our lives to God. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life” (Romans 5:9-10).
As we surrender our lives to God, we can walk closer to Him and will enjoy fellowship with Him forever in Heaven even though we sinned in this life more times than we can count. The Lord doesn’t stop loving us and gives every opportunity to restore our relationship with Him. We are justified by Him, so go live fully for Him!
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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