Romans 5:6-11
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Daily Devotion
The Exchange
By: Dominic Couvion
While reading the scripture today, I found myself reading with the wrong attitude. I began looking for something to jump out and be a grand impact on somebody. I lost my focus.
As I repositioned my thoughts, the definition of the final word in verse 11 brought my vision back into focus. Reconciliation. There is a spotlight on this word yet I feel my eyes are closed. I had to pause, reflect, and search the meaning and intent of this word. A root word from the Greek for reconciliation is exchange. Originally used for the exchange of coins. Jesus exchanged His life for mine. In order for this exchange to take place, when He gave His life, I have to give Him mine.
When going to a foreign country and exchanging currency, you give them your currency for an equal amount of their currency, there is a trade. Jesus is the master of the market exchange rates, and in His rating our lives were worth the value of His. Yet, why is it so hard to let His will override mine and give up my will? If truthful with myself, it’s because for some unknown reason I don’t like the exchange rate. Then I pause, take some time in the word, and refocus.
Another definition of the word reconciliation is harmony. The scripture today is about getting in tune with Jesus, that means changing my tune to match His. Harmonizing requires listening and matching your tune to the one heard. This is why it is a necessary to read your Bible every day. When we read the Word, God imparts the ability for us to resist the world and stay in tune with Him.