Apparently, I've been writing too much about sports these days. So, let's try on for size this devotion.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
The story is told that during the early days of the Civil War, a Union soldier was arrested on charges of desertion. He could not prove that the charges were unfounded and was declared guilty and condemned to die as a deserter. An appeal was made on the soldier's behalf and, as fate would have it, the paperwork ended up on President Abraham Lincoln's desk. The President was moved by the appeal and signed a pardon, freeing the soldier.
Then that man did a most surprising thing. He reenlisted, returned to service and fought the entirety of the was on the side of the North. Tragically, he was killed just as the war was coming to an end. In looking for some identification, found in his breast pocket of the soldier was the signed pardon of the President.
In verses one and two of chapter five of Romans, Paul describes the pardon we have received by being declared "justified by faith." God's pardon of our sins has given us "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus' victorious battle over sin, death and hell has brought peace for all who trust in the Lord.
We can live life without fear of God's punishment.
We can enlist in the Lord's service as soldiers of the cross.
We can arm ourselves for battle with the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Holy Word.
We can share the Word with those whose hearts are troubled and confused.
May the rich grace of God move us to faithful service as soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ!
