As I continued to meditate on Romans 5:1 the word ‘therefore’ took me back in my mind to Romans 4 and the account of Abraham. Verse 5 says, “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”

Abraham believed in hope contrary to the impossibility he faced. Here is a key. He did not consider, or ponder, or think about what was impossible. He believed what God had said. Verse 20 says, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.”

When doubts assail your mind, remember that God is true. Titus 1:2 expresses His character we can stand in. It says, “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”

We wage war against the suggestions of the enemy by standing in His promises. He cannot fail. 2 Timothy 2:13 says that He cannot deny Himself. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As I was meditating on this verse, I focused on the words ‘having been’ which is past tense.

This takes us to how God’s word is profitable for doctrine. Justification took place once at salvation. It is not a repeated event. Romans 8:29 says that He uses all things in our lives to conform us to His image.

Verse 30 says, “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these he also glorified.” 

Verse 33 says, ‘Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” We see from these verses that the work is all done at salvation by God. It has nothing to do with us. The Greek word for justified means to acquit or declare righteous. 

Justification is a foundation doctrine that we stand in. Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Justified freely at salvation!

God’s inspired word is profitable for instruction in righteousness. Note the last seven words in Hebrews 12:11, “…to those who have been trained by it.” We can fight our trials through negative dialogue. We can complain to others. We can deaden our emotional or physical pain through worldly substitutes.

Until we allow His designed trial to work His conformity in us, we miss the training. James 1:4 says, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

The fear of the Lord comes into play here. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” James 1:5 says that at any time we lack wisdom we can ask Him.

I think we will all agree that we always need His wisdom to navigate our trials. Every trial has His special provision. Leaning on our own understanding is futile. The truth is found in 2 Peter 1:3. It says, “His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness…”

How does God’s word instruct us in righteousness? We have to remember what we have been saved from. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf.” Speaking of leaves. I just pulled off dead brown leaves from my geraniums.

Isaiah 54:17 says, “…and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 

Isaiah 32:17 clearly states what it looks like when we are walking in His gift of righteousness. It says, “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”

Our trials are divinely orchestrated as tools to mold and shape us in conformity to His image. Romans 8:29. Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The Greek word for worry means to divide into parts. Worry is a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. Remember Martha? In Luke 10:42 Jesus said, “…Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.”

Then He brought course correction. Verse 42 says, “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Verse 39 says that Mary, “…sat at Jesus feet and heard His word.”

Our very first thought of worry is a signal that we were just hit with a fiery dart. Our next thought needs to be one of praise or gratitude that will immediately take our focus to the Lord. 

All fiery darts are lies. Ephesians 6:16 helps us understand that they are an attack against our faith. They can only penetrate when we accept them as our own and dialogue with them. Remember Isaiah 54:17.

I personalize this, wielding it as a strategic weapon to extinguish the dart. “No weapon formed against me will prosper! I will refute every tongue spoken against me.”

How is God’s inspired word profitable for us for correction? Let me give you an example. Say that you have been reading through the book of Matthew. You come to chapter six in the evening. 

Throughout that day you were worrying about something that you had no control over. Your mind was totally occupied. You kept dialoguing with it. Your inner conversation was like a loop of stress. You settled down to pick up His word. You came to verse 26. It says, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry…” Busted!

Why does Jesus say to not worry? Verses 26-30 remind us that He takes care of the birds, He clothes the lilies and the grass of the field. Verse 32 says that He knows what we need. Then He brings course correction to our thought processes. It starts with the transitional word of but.

Verse 33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” His course correction helps us understand what to prioritize in our lives. Worry blocks trust, but trust destroys worry.

Proverbs 10:17 in the Amplified is a verse that should stop us in our tracks. It says, “He who heeds instruction and correction is (not only himself) in the way of life (but also) is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof (not only himself) goes astray (but also) causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.”

When our message and messenger are not the same, we can cause others to err. I love Franklin Graham’s statement about his dad. He said that he was the same at home as he was in the pulpit.

Proverbs 27:17 Amplified says “Iron sharpens iron: so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (to show rage or worthy purpose).” Verse 19 says, “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.”

The Lord is the only one who truly knows what is in our heart. However, our heart is revealed through our words, body language, actions, and attitude. What we think about is reflected in our character. Does it exemplify the Lord?

I have been meditating on 2 Timothy 3:16. It says, “All Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproofs, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” All means everything without exception.

I was thinking about when I read through my Bible and come to the books in the Old Testament. How are they profitable for reproof to me? Reproof means conviction. Here’s one that always gives me pause. Numbers 32:23 says, “…you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

King David did everything he could to hide his sin with Bathsheba. The Lord knew. He sent the prophet Nathan to reproof the king. 2 Samuel 12:9 says, “Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?…”

David set the record straight for us in Psalm 51. Verse 4 says, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.”

Hidden sin blocks our intimate communion with the Lord, and we cannot savor His goodness.

It is the goodness of God that sustains us through His promises. Think of. Psalm 23:6 It  says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

David wrote Psalm 27. My dad used to write Psalm 27:13 after his name when he signed guest books at funeral services. Why? It says, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

His goodness is His revealed character. Moses went up Mount Sinai with two tablets of stone. The Lord proclaimed Who He is at all times. Exodus 34:6 says, “…The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”

We are to exemplify the Lord’s character through our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 is the evident fruit of one living under the control of the Holy Spirit. Goodness is the manifestation of His kindness—doing good to others. Are you kind to the unthankful? Jesus was. Luke 6:35.

Psalms 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Jeremiah 31:14 says, “I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” Satiate means to fill to the full.

How is your spiritual appetite? Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”

An excellent way to savor God’s goodness is to meditate on it through His word. Think of Romans 2:4. Its truth is preceded with God’s judgment regarding judging others. The verse says, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

When we are walking in the Spirit, then He will convict us when we first entertain a thought of judging others. Matthew 7:1 says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”