11原来,我们不但是罪人,也是神的仇敌。借着基督救赎的死,神已称义我们这些罪人,并使我们这些仇敌与祂自己和好了(1、10~11)。这发生在我们相信主耶稣的时候。我们凭信接受了神的称义与和好。这就开了路,将我们引进恩典的范围以享受神。……在恩典的范围里,我们所享受的第一件事乃是神的爱……(5)。在我们的基督徒生活中,许多时候我们需要鼓励和坚固。我们经历苦难的时期,也许有问题和疑惑。你可能说,“为什么我的基督徒生活中有这么多难处?为什么有这么多试炼和试验?”……虽然有这些疑惑,但我们无法否认神的爱在我们里面。从我们第一次呼求主耶稣的名那天起,神的爱就借着圣灵浇灌在我们心里了。这就是说,那灵启示、坚固并向我们保证神的爱。内住的圣灵似乎说,“不要疑惑。神爱你。你现在不领会为什么必须受苦,但有一天你会说,‘父,为着我所经过的难处和试炼,我感谢你。’”当你进入永世的门时,你会说,“为着一路上临到我的苦难和试验,赞美主。神用这些变化我。”(罗马书生命读经,一一七至一一九页)
11Originally, we were not only sinners but also enemies of God. Through the redeeming death of Christ, God has justified us, the sinners, and has reconciled us, His enemies, to Himself (vv. 1, 10-11). This transpired when we believed in the Lord Jesus. We have received God’s justification and reconciliation by faith. This has opened the way and ushered us into the realm of grace for the enjoyment of God. In the realm of grace the first thing we enjoy is the love of God…(v. 5). Many times in our Christian life we need encouragement and confirmation. As we pass through periods of suffering, we may have questions and doubts. Perhaps you say, “Why are there so many troubles in my Christian life? Why are there so many trials and tests?”… Although these doubts arise, we cannot deny that the love of God is within us. From the day we first called on the Lord Jesus, the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This means that the Spirit reveals, confirms, and assures us with the love of God. The indwelling Holy Spirit seems to say, “Don’t doubt. God loves you. You don’t understand why you must suffer now, but one day you will say, ‘Father, I thank You for the troubles and trials that I passed through.’ “ When you enter the gate of eternity, you will say, “Praise the Lord for the sufferings and tests that fell upon me on my journey. God used them to transform me.” (Life-study of Romans, pp. 99-101)