Stay in the Black
Posted on June 14, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” — Romans 5:5
There is an accounting term that uses red and black to measure the balance of profit. All companies will look at the bottom line and make sure that at each quarter the profit margins are in the black. When all the expenses are paid, and the dust settles, the numbers need to be on the plus side. Otherwise, if you’re in the negative, you’re considered in the red, no good, time for an adjustment.
The Apostle Paul lays out a pattern that will help the Believer “stay in the black.” The profit margin he seems to be using is “Hope.” Hope can be defined as “the expectation that our faith will overcome our anxieties and fears.” Our Commodity here is the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 is the description of the Commodity at hand,
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
This is deposited into our spiritual account when we have entered into a saving faith in Jesus Christ. The way this works is we are given by God a measure of Faith, we then take that faith and have become stewards of it. The profit and loss margins are measured by the amount of our faith and how we either grow it or allow it to shrink. Instead of quarterly reports we measure our faith through trials. Hope becomes the black, anxiety and fear become the red. “Hope is the expectation that overcomes anxiety and fear,” trials will produce one or the other. Our Hope is not the same as an unbelievers hope. Ours is built upon the Rock. If you’re in the red when it comes to trials that life deals us, the missing link could be our understanding of God’s grace, there’s your homework.
Paul tells us in his letter to Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
My prayer is that this morning you are “In the black.” If not, then seek out the things that you have allowed to overcome your faith. I believe these short devotions should never take the place of being in God’s Word, but rather an appetizer to the main meal. Amen!
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
The Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-7 | Psalm 136|You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “Jesus gives us hope because He keeps us company, has a vision and knows the way we should go.” – Max Lucado
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Lord, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
Psalm 119:166