Romans 5:1-11

 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory
of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our
hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the
ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man
someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us
in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be
saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, when 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! 11Not only is this so, but we
also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now
received reconciliation.

Meditation
1. What does a Christian see if he looks back? If he looks ahead?  If he looks
around?  Reconciliation.  Looking back, we have been saved and reconciled to
God (v10).  Looking ahead, we will stand by God throughout eternity (v9).
Looking around, we are being saved.  Jesus is even now at work within me to
give me the power to live a holy life.  Our past, our present and our future are
all transformed because of Him.  And when we are reconciled with God, it
paves the way for us to be reconciled with ourselves and with others.
2. Thank God for this Reconciliation Gospel.  Pray that God will help me to live
always in reconciliation with God, with myself and with others.

Personal Note:
When I look back, I see a life without hope and purpose.  My life was like living in Vanity Fair from The Pilgrim's Progress.  I was living for the purpose of self pleasure and happiness, which ultimately is meaningless.  When I look ahead, I see that I am guided by the creator of the universe who loves me dearly.  When I look around, I see brothers and sisters are being transformed by the Spirit of God when they accepted the gift of salvation and are willing to obey to Jesus's leading.  I see life and hope in those who are willing to obey and follow the ways of Jesus Christ.

It is only because I have been reconciled (made right) with God that I have relationship with God.  I am grateful for the life I am living because of God's love.  Because of God's love, I can reconcile and be at peace with others.