Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We see in Scripture the two words “But God” a multitude of times. Each of us, as believers, rest in the words we find in Paul’s letter to the Romans, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) But He not only died, But God raised Him from the dead. (Acts 13.30) And what greater hope can we have, than what is seen in the Psalmist words “ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah” (Psalm 49:15)
In these three verses beginning with “but God” we see the Gospel of salvation available to each of us! We know we have no capability to save ourselves. Also if we look further at what is at times, attached to these words, we see His mercy and love. I am so underserving of His love and mercy.
There is one verse for us to consider that contains these two words, “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thess. 2:4 The Apostle Paul is speaking of himself, referring to his ministry of bringing the Gospel to these Gentiles in Thessalonica.
But we can apply this to our own lives, we are not to be living focused on always pleasing those around us, but we are to consider the last phase of the verse, “but God who tests our hearts.” How does the Lord “test our heart”? The Lord knows what we do and not only that, but He also knows what we think, what is in our heart. What we think in a situation can be totally opposite of what we are doing. We may do things based on what is expected of us by others, but in our heart, there is a question.
To be tested means we are measured against some standard. What is the
Lords’ standard for us? The Lord Jesus said, “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another”. We are tested in how well we live according to that command.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Just a thought for the morning.
Carl
