Therefore, since it is loyalty that sets us in a right relationship with God, our allegiance marks an end to hostilities. Through our Lord and King Jesus <\/span>we have been granted mercy and undeserved forgiveness. We take our stand in this, even daring to\u00a0boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.\u00a0<\/span>Not only that, we\u00a0also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering teaches us perseverance,\u00a0<\/span>which develops character, which fosters hope.\u00a0<\/span>Hope does not disappoint us, because God\u2019s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.<\/span><\/p>\n When the moment was right and we were at our weakest, our King died for we who were rebels against his rule.\u00a0<\/span>Rarely will anyone die for a righteous person\u2014though perhaps for a good person someone might actually give their life.\u00a0<\/span>God, however, demonstrates the extent of the divine love for us in that while we still were opposing God, God\u2019s King died for us.\u00a0<\/span>If God bore the violent death of Jesus to restore our relationship with God, how much more certain we can be that through Jesus we are rescued from God\u2019s anger. <\/span>For if while we were enemies the death of God\u2019s Son reconciled us to God, having reconciled us at such cost we can sure that we will we be saved by Jesus\u2019 life.\u00a0<\/span>More than that, we even boast in God through Jesus our Lord and King, through whom we have now been reconciled.<\/span> \u2014 See the previous post in this series for the background to what I seek to do here.<\/p>\n