By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
At Peace
Romans 5:1–11
Justified with Benefits (1–5)
Because we have been justified, we have peace with God. Because we have peace with God, we can approach Him by faith through His Son.
This access to God, and the resulting intimacy, enables us to stand firm through trials and difficulties.
Peace with God also has the benefit of allowing followers of Christ to overcome anxiety and anticipate the triumphant return of His Son joyfully.
Tribulations are unpleasant, but believers can boast in them because they do not define us. Instead, these difficulties lead to a chain reaction in personal growth resulting in perseverance.
Trials, filtered through the sovereignty of God, result in a character that increasingly looks like our Lord. In other words, the pressures of this world do not break us, but God uses these pressures to transform us into the image of His Son.
Naturally, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us changes our outlook on everything. We experience God’s love more fully and are filled with hope or the assurance that He is working all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Rom. 8:28).
A justified person exhibits a hope or confidence that cannot be explained apart from the presence of the living Lord.
Justified Through His Death (6–8)
When faced with trials, I have heard people question God’s love and faithfulness. When this thought enters our minds, we can remember what Christ has done for us on the cross.
Honestly, looking at ourselves, no innate goodness exists that draws Christ to us.
All humans are weak, helpless sinners which in the original language translates to wicked sinners who cannot help themselves.
From this teaching, we see that everyone stands in opposition to God. And yet, Jesus’ love is so great that He died for our sake.
God’s love is not only in the past but is now and forever.
In our lives, we find it challenging to love people who are unkind or hate us, much less die for them. Think about it, would you die in the place of an ISIS fighter who is seeking to kill your loved one?
In sharp contrast to our limited love, Christ accepted the death on the cross for people who are unworthy.
I cannot fathom the depth of this kind of love. God demonstrates His love for us through the sacrificial death of His only Son.
Justified Equals Reconciliation (9–11)
Paul further explains that people, apart from God, are enemies of Him. Put another way, humans are antagonistic to God.
Let us face the fact that our sinfulness is repugnant to the holy and pure Lord and rightly deserves His wrath.
Instead of divine judgment, God’s love through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross made it possible for fallen humanity to be reconciled to Him.
Praise God, we are no longer God’s enemies; we have been saved from His wrath. Not only did Jesus die for us, but He also lives within us.
This statement is profound; our faith is in a Savior who is alive. In Christ, we are no longer weak, helpless enemies of God. Instead, the living Lord ensures that we “are strengthened with power in our inner being through his Spirit” (Eph. 3:16).
We have been justified. We have been reconciled to God. Christ is alive and grants us power to live differently than the world.
Such wonderful facts lead to great joy because we were once enemies of God but are now His friends. To God be the glory, great things He has done and is doing!
Share with others: