Romans 5 Lesson
The Unsurpassed Love Of God
THE HOLY SPIRIT
There are times when the Bible does not provide a specific answer to a question that we have.
That is why we have the Holy Spirit, our Helper.
The Bible lets us readGod’s word.
The Holy Spirit lets us feel it .
Our focus verse for today’s lesson is taken from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. In this letter, Paul writes:
- “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5.
When Paul mentions the love of God, we need to be mindful that we are not talking about love the way that the word is commonly used.
We are talking about the love of God!
A love so powerful, that He sent His Son to die on the cross and take our place for the sins that we have already committed, and the sins that we will commit in the future.
John wrote about this love in his Gospel:
- “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.
Can you imagine feeling a love THIS powerful?
Feeling God’s love is a life-changing event for those who love Him.
GOD’S LOVE
According to the Book of Romans, there are four things we can focus on to have God’s love “poured out within our hearts.”
- Exult in our tribulations,
- Persevere,
- Develop proven character,
- Have hope.
To persevere during times of adversity, we need to receive the Holy Spirit, our Helper.
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT?
To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we need to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke wrote about this in the Book of Acts:
- “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgivenessof your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38.
Nobody likes going through tribulations, so why would we want to exult, or celebrate them? Because God teaches us through adversity.
Tribulations are necessary. Without tribulations, we do not get to feel the love.
As we continue down life’s path, we are all going to suffer. Our tribulations will either defeat us, or they will complete us. In the same way that a runner gains strength and stamina through hard work and physical exertion, our tribulations allow us to emerge stronger and more capable. While not fun in the short term, the benefits that we get from our tribulations are enormous.
So why should we endure all the pain and suffering?
Because that is God's will. Because it will be worth it!
If we must first experience suffering to have God’s love poured into our hearts, it is a small price to pay for something so priceless.
CONCLUSION
If you have been blessed to feel God’s love poured into your heart, then you know how joyous and peaceful it feels. When we experience God’s love, we feel it in our hearts that God’s plan is working. This gives us the hope that we will need to endure life’s hardships. As our faith matures, we will begin to see the blessings that hard times can bring.
We will conclude today’s lesson with the following scripture about God’s plan for each of us:
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11.
1) What did today’s Bible study make you think or feel?
2) What questions do you have?
3) How can you apply what you have learned to something specific in your life?
***PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE***
1) What did today’s Bible study make you think or feel?
2) What questions do you have?
3) How can you apply what you have learned to something specific in your life?
***PLEASE POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE***
My name is John.
I have been a Christian for about 25 years, but I have not felt the love of God in my heart in the way that I felt it today. There was an elderly man at my place of business struggling to get into his vehicle. He had gotten upset and yelled at some of our staff so we weren't exactly feeling "Christian love" for this gentlemen.
He had several disabilities and to simply walk to his car was exhausting to watch. From my Bible studies I felt compelled to show compassion and not judgement. My heart went out to this old man.
I heard him say to the person picking him up that he was thirsty and needed some water. I went inside and brought out two cold bottles of water (one for him, and one for the person that picked him up).
As I did this, I thought of Jesus' words from Mathew's Gospel:
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
I thought about how this man was thirsty and I gave him something to drink.
I then got the feeling of chills, in a good way, and felt the Holy Spirit calming me and comforting me. I knew I had pleased God and it was a wonderful feeling. Like today's lesson says, I felt the pouring of God's love into my heart!
It has made me excited to do another kind deed to glorify God, and that is a blessing.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Thank you for sharing this incident with us. This is what Jesus meant when he said to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” It is always easy to love and help the people we like. But it is rather difficult to help those whom we do not like. I wonder if your kind gesture helped to turn his day around after being so disgruntled. But even if it didn’t, look how it turned your day around! You felt God’s love inside of you. During this time of the year especially, we have many opportunities to do random acts of kindness and feel that warmth that comes from giving because it IS better to give than receive.
I’ve only been saved for 8 years. The feeling that I felt inside was strong and surely the Holy Spirit. I felt confident that I was moving in the right direction and that my faith was getting stronger and stronger. And then this pandemic happened. It happened slowly enough for me to not notice right away. That strong feeling of peace and faith inside ( the Holy Spirit) no doubt in my mind, seemed to be fizzling out some. It has been very scary. I know a verse in the Bible talks about once we are saved nothing can pull us from God’s hold but with not being in Church every Sunday and no weekly Bible study or fellowship I felt like I was losing that fire inside. I’ve been doing virtual service on Sunday and praying everyday to get that fire back and then I found this site.
And of all books it started with Romans which contains the verses of the most uplifting, joyful and peaceful message in the whole Bible to me. Romans 8:37-39
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Well anyway, I just want to say that I feel like I can feel the Holy Spirit in me again and I have been trying to do a lot of nice things for people and each time I do I feel a smile creep up on my face and it just stays there along with the warm feeling inside. So thankful to be getting my fire for the Lord back. Thanks for listening.
Beautiful thoughts Betsy. Thank you for sharing.
This post really made me think.
I’ve been focusing hard on trying to be obedient (works). This forum wakes me up to the knowledge that my belief in Jesus, and in His grace are what save me.