Word of life – Rom 5:11

“But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

(Rom 5:11 NRS /New Revised Standard Version 1989/)

(from 16 to 30 October 2011)

One can boast about good or bad things. If one boasts about bad things, this boast is in opposition not only to God but also to one’s neighbour. If one boasts about good things, it can be a show of pride and it can be misused for humiliation of a neighbour. But if one makes a boast purely in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, such boast is at the same time a testimony of God’s love to everyone who has been reconciled to God through repentance and united to Jesus and His life in us through faith. If someone is envious of this our boast, one has a chance to do the same – to repent, receive reconciliation and salvation, and boast in the pure joy through Jesus, through whom we have obtained reconciliation.

Practical application:

When repeating this verse, let us realize the word now – “we have now received reconciliation”. This “now” is associated with actual faith through which one receives reconciliation with God in a particular moment. We live this “now” through Jesus Christ. Through Him reconciliation enters our life at every new moment. Reconciliation is connected with the love of Jesus: “He who keeps My commandments, it is he who loves Me.” Jesus’ commandment is more than just formal observance of the Ten Commandments. Jesus’ commandment affects our minds and our hearts. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus points out that we do not sin in deed only, which is the accomplishment, but that sin consists in the very evil thoughts, even in a lustful look. Lust, anger or hatred against the neighbour, or other sins in our thoughts, separate us from the living communion with God. Therefore, we need to repent time and again – that means, to change our mind and believe in the Gospel (cf. Mk 1:15). So true and sincere boast is tied up with obtaining reconciliation through Jesus Christ.