The Blessedness of the Justified

Introduction

We all love rewards, things we get as a consequence of being part of something. Fitness rewards us with good health and nice bodies. Hard work rewards us with recognition and sometimes wealth. What are the rewards of justification? Rather, what do we get from being in Christ?

Salvation of course. Yet, so much more...

Romans 5:1–5 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1–5 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 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.

The Blessedness of the Justified (5:1-11)

The Blessedness of the Justified (5:1-11)

Involves our Past, Present, and Future

Key terms: peace, access, suffering, perseverance

“Blissful consequences” Sanday and Headlam

Therefore, having been justified by faith...

Peace with God (1)

Is a result of our past forgiveness.

End of war/sin

Reconciliation of friendship/kinship

Brought close

What are the things in life that bring us peace? In other words, how do you find peace in this world?

Standing in Grace (access) (2)

Is our present privilege.

Introduction through Christ (not of ourselves)

Brought into the throne room

Brought into the King’s audience

Part of the court

Continued access, not sporadic

(NKJV) Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

(NKJV) 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A peep behind the curtain. Wizard of Oz. Seeing the real Oz made all the difference for the travelers.

Hope of Glory (2)

Our future inheritance.

Full disclosure

Jesus Christ will appear with great power and glory.

We will not only see it, but changed into it.

We will have the full measure of sharing in His glory.

What keeps you going day to day?

(NKJV) 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Rejoicing in our Sufferings (3-5)

How do we rejoice in our sufferings?

Because of the bi-products

Perseverance: courageous active resistance to hostile attack.

Character: tested in battle, attestation of our faith through trials

Hope: confidence in God’s deliverance

(NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Literally, we are not put to shame! (5)

God’s love

Holy Spirit’s presence

This is the process of persevering.

Storm (suffering)

Going through (perseverance, hope)

Coming out (character)

The peace that surpasses all understanding.

How do non-believers live without this process?

We have an advocate (6-11)

An advocate is a person who speaks in support or defense of another person. A person who pleads for or on behalf of another, an intercessor.

We were ungodly.

We needed an advocate.

Christ became our advocate.

Sam Nunn

Conclusion

Their world vs. our world...

Paul’s world was in mass confusion. Rome was persecuting the church with total malice and vile. People were miserable under the wicked and oppressive hand of Rome. Wickedness was abounding without restraint.

Our world is in mass confusion presently. Corona virus, storms and weather, and the election. People are distraught and troubled. Wickedness is abounding without restraint. The world needs peace and reassurance that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

(NKJV)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.