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Romans 5:1-11

Take the mask off and be yourself

Fitting in, being accepted, being successful, is no easy task. We live in a world that rewards the beautiful, the famous, the successful, the powerful, the strong. Having the right image, looking good, being positive and being popular become burdens we think we must carry because we fear rejection, ridicule, loneliness, sadness and suffering.

Hope in God

It is hard for us to accept that God loves us even though he can see through our mask, through our facade. He can see the sadness behind the smile, he sees us before we have prepared ourselves in front of the mirror. He sees  the darkness that lurks within our heart. He knows our weakness and our addiction to what is wrong.

While we were without strength Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6). Instead of pretending to be better than you are, instead of trying to impress people, instead of trying to impress yourself, instead of believing in yourself why not believe in Jesus Christ? Why not be impressed with Christ?

For Christ can fix all that is broken. Christ can strengthen that which he fixes. Christ brings a bond that can never be broken, a bond that requires no mask and no pretending. Be encouraged to take off your mask and be yourself, to put your faith in Christ so that you can enjoy the assurance of God’s love, the assurance of God’s achievement and the assurance of God himself. the Rev

These exercises will help you explore how you can experience assurance in your every day life. Click on 'read more' to access these exercises.

Romans: Experience Assurance

Bible Reading:Romans 5:1-11

Experience Assurance Rom 5:1-5

• God’s Love Rom 5:6-8

• God’s Achievement Rom 5:9-10

• God Himself Rom 5:11

Exercises

• Share a time when you were physically without strength?

• Discuss what Paul means by us being “without strength” (Rom 5:6).   

• ‘Christ died for the ungodly’, on what basis did he die and why? (Rom 5:6-8)

• In what way is Paul seeking to encourage you in Rom 5:9-10?

• Share what you enjoy.

• Explore in what ways we can enjoy and rejoice in God?

• Why is your relationship with God assured?

Prayer: Dear God, for the richness of your love I rejoice in you. For you loved me when I was unlovable, you saved me when I hated you and you keep me safe by your own achievement through your Son’s death and life. I rejoice in the security I have have in Christ and pray that you will deepen my joy in You. Amen This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it