Doubting and the Work of Christ

Several Years ago I was working in my office, which is somewhat disconnected from the other offices at our church, when the church receptionist called me. She told me there was a young woman there who wanted to talk to a minister, and I was the only one she could find. Apparently, all the other ministers where out at the office that time or where unavailable. Because of the location of my office I rarely get this sort of call.

I met the young woman in the "gathering space" at our church and began to ask what I could do to help her. She proceeded to share with me how she was struggling with doubt. She wasn't eating or sleeping well and lived in a seemingly constant fear of death. As I listened to her story, I prayed that the Lord would give me the words she needed to hear. My hands glided through the pages of my Bible as I listened and silently prayed.

Then when the moment came I had determined it would be best to begin in Romans in the hopes of clarifying to her the plan of salvation. After reading and briefly discussing Romans 3:23 and 6:23 I was about to read Romans 5:8 when my eyes lead me to begin in Romans 5:1. I couldn't stop reading though I continued through verse eleven. I noticed the woman had begun to calm down. We discussed these verses in detail. I firmly believe God had led me to this passage, and the woman noticeably responded to this word. Before it was all over, I lead her to renew her faith and commitment to Christ, seek the wise direction of the Holy Spirit daily, and seek out a professional Christian Counselor (I gave her some names to start with).

Today, as an act of worship, I pray we will drink deep of these words from Romans five as we strengthen our faith and commitment to Christ this morning.

"1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:1-11 NIV)