Romans 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This Scripture delivers the best news to us: Even though we have fallen short of His glory, God has chosen to restore our relationship with Him. God has decided to make known this peacemaking news through the Gospel and the whole counsel of the Bible. The Gospel is the good news of a restored relationship because if we choose Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ!
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
This Scripture is among many where God shows us that we are sinners who have sinned against Him. In His holiness, God could have cut us off and completely eradicated us, but He didn’t. Instead, God, in His grace and mercy, initiated the establishment of an unconditional covenant, and the birth of Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the Abrahamic Covenant. Gentiles should rejoice because the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will bless all the families on earth according to God’s plan (Genesis 12:2-3). We are blessed by the Abrahamic Covenant because we are made to be accepted by the Beloved regardless of our colour, race, and nationality when we receive Christ.
We have been justified as righteous on the principle of faith. Justification means being made to stand right before God as if we have never sinned. All our sins have been cleansed and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ so we can have peace with God. Jesus is the peacemaker between God and men. Jesus says in John 15:15 that He no longer calls us servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but He calls us friends.
Romans 12:17-18 (NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
It takes both parties to bring about peace and restoration. Therefore, we should not allow strife, hatred, and unforgiveness to divide family members, friends, church members, and colleagues. Sanctification is a lifetime process. Picking up the cross means loving when it is difficult to love and doing what is right despite our desire to rebel.
The mark of spiritual maturity is walking in love. We are to show kindness in our speech and actions, being conscious of our tone, voice, and body language. We are to honour one another by showing respect, which enables us to overcome evil with good. We should listen quickly, speak slowly (James 1:19), and not retaliate in aggression but be peacemakers through Him.
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藉着祂成为使人和睦的使者
罗马书5:1 因此，我们既因信称义，就藉着我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。
这段经文为我们带来了最好的消息：尽管我们亏欠了神的荣耀，但神选择恢复我们与祂的关系。神决定通过福音和圣经中的全部教义来告知这与祂相和的消息。福音是关于关系恢复的好消息，因为如果我们选择让耶稣成为我们的主和救主，我们就会藉着耶稣基督与神相和！
罗马书 3:23 因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。
这段经文是神指示我们的众多经文之一，我们都是罪人，得罪了祂。在祂的圣洁中，神本可将我们隔绝，并彻底地将我们除灭，但祂没有这样做。相反，神以祂的恩典和怜悯，主动建立了无条件的盟约，耶稣基督的诞生就是亚伯拉罕盟约的实现。外邦人应该欢喜，因为按照神的计划，我们的主耶稣基督的到来使世上所有的家庭都得福（创世记 12：2-3）。我们因亚伯拉罕盟约得福，因为当我们接受基督时，无论我们的肤色、种族和国籍，这恩典已经在祂爱子里赐给我们了。
我们因信称义。称义意味着我们能够站在神面前，好像我们从未犯过罪一样。我们所有的罪都已被耶稣基督的宝血洗净和救赎，因此我们可以与神相和。耶稣是使神与人之间和睦的使者。耶稣在约翰福音 15:15 中说，祂不再称我们为仆人，因为仆人不知道主人所做的事，祂乃称我们为朋友。
罗马书 12:17-18 不要以恶报恶。要留心众人眼前的善事。若可能，尽你所能，与众人和睦相处。
和睦与关系恢复需要双方共同努力。因此，我们不应该让争竞、仇恨和不饶恕分裂家人、朋友、教会成员和同事。成圣是一个终生的过程。背起十字架意味着在难以去爱时去爱，尽管我们想要反抗，但仍要做正确的事。
灵命成熟的标志是行在爱中。我们要在言语和行为中表现出仁慈，注意自己的语气、声音和肢体语言。我们要通过表示尊重来尊荣彼此，这使我们能够以善胜恶。我们要快快地听，慢慢地说（雅各书 1:19），不要以攻击性的方式报复，而要藉着祂成为使人和睦的使者。
讲章系列: 七十个七次的意义
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