Count the Blessings

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
~ 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

As I read Romans 5 on Wednesday, I never made it past the first several verses of Paul's list. As I began to count the blessings we have through faith in Jesus Christ, I was reduced to tears and could go no farther.

So I here reverse my usual order. This reflection is first, then the Scripture with which I started. As I read this passage yet once more (I've been over it again and again in the last day), I'm enumerating the gifts of God by putting a separate item on each line.

Mind you, this is just nine verses of the Bible. Were we to count the blessings in all of Scripture on separate lines, could we carry the voluminous tome?

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. And not only that, but
we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character;
and character, hope. 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...
But God demonstrates
His own love toward us [2nd mention of love], in that
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
~ Romans 5:1-9 (NKJV)

Father in heaven, surely the greatest gift awaiting us in heaven is full comprehension of Your glory, love and grace as we enter Your presence. Thank You for the glimpse You give us here on earth. Thank You for the great love You lavish upon us. Thank You that we are counted Your children.

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