Fields United Methodist Church

Thoughts Along the Way

Pastor Tom Joyce

May 26, 2021

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”

Romans 5:1-2

There are times that no matter what we do, getting ahead of life is a challenge. We try to do the right things, play by the rules, and celebrate everybody around us but it just doesn’t seem to make a difference. Have you ever felt the same way?  There is hope, because there is Jesus.  Faith is not about doing everything right, it is all about knowing no matter what we do God still loves us and showers us with grace upon grace. Peace with God is all about not always having to be right, that no matter who we are or the challenges we face, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is with us not only now but “even to the end of the age.” Fortunately, the Christian faith is not about following a set of rules but rather it is following Jesus who called us to live a life pleasing to God through “loving God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves.” God is not asking you to be perfect, just grace-filled and loving towards all people just as Jesus is loving to all. Maybe that is why Jesus was so adamant in his invitation to us to “come, those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest;” (Matthew 11:28) we need a break from shouldering our burdens alone, thinking that it is only by our strength that we can move forward.  Here is the bottom line; a life wallowing in the grace of Jesus is a life well-lived, no matter the challenges that are faced and no matter the hardships that come our way.  God’s hope through Jesus Christ, “does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5) May your hope always be of Christ Jesus and may you live in the peace of God that is eternal.