Romans 5
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The Results of Justification
The Results of Justification
We begin our study in Romans 5 tonight. The opening verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter. Paul has developed an argument surrounding mans inability to achieve righteousness. We simply, in our flesh, are not righteous, and we are not justified through our works or our efforts.
We are going to look closely at the Apostle Paul’s wording in the next several verses.
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
This verse applies to those who believe. Paul assumes that at this point, he is speaking to either new believers or maturing believers. We all need this reminder at times. Paul goes from making statements of “being declared righteous” to “ having been made righteous.”
The word “being” looks to something that is presently occuring. “I am being good.” “I am being honest.”
The words “having been” looks back to a fact that happened. See, we are not speaking of human justification, but God’s justification through Christ. When a person places their faith in Christ, that person is declared justified, righteous, and receives the free gift of eternal salvation. The case is closed.
Sometimes, it is almost like we continue to do “community service” or pay court costs that are no longer due. We go to pay and Jesus looks at us and says “This has already been paid, you have been justified and made righteous through me.”
We now have “peace with God.” This is not in the sense that we are avoiding war or there is the absence of hostility, but in the “shalom” sense of harmonious well-being. God is not going to change His mind or His judgement.
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
It is through faith in Jesus Christ alone that we have gained access to God’s grace.
Grace = undeserved and unmerited favor.
Something we need to remember: God’s grace did not end when Jesus saved us. Paul is telling us that God’s grace does not end. We are standing in His grace, we are submersed in His grace and the living water of Christ continually, without end.
Grace is a state in which the believer now lives. God’s free giving to us does not stop when we become Christians. He continues to pour that grace out on us that we live in a constant state of grace.
The Greek word for boast, kauchaomai (Ka-cow-may) means that we boast, exult, rejoice, and take confidence in the hope of His glory.
Now, the word hope, or elpis in the Greek. This is not the same as saying “I sure hope so!” Or “let’s hope for the best.” No, hope in the sense of God has no uncertainty. A better word here would have been expectation or assurance.
We are assured and wait expectantly as we rejoice in the LORD!
Look what Paul says here in verse 3 though:
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Well, that did not take Paul long to tell us there would be trouble. I don't think Paul is even saying this with a straight face, he is smiling and joyful while saying this!
Smiling - “Hey! Your gonna have problems and things are going to be terrible at times! Rejoice because it will help you to endure more troubles that will be coming your way!”
We need to understand what Paul is talking about. The Greek word for suffering here is thlipseis (thil-eep-sees). Paul is not referring to the fears, frustrations, aches, pains, and disappointments of everyday living. He is referring to the suffering that God’s people can expect in being persecuted by the world in proclaiming the Gospel. Thilipseis is the same word Jesus used when He said:
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Paul is not talking about some sick masochistic love of pain! He is saying that the world is hostile to the message of Christ, and we are and will be persecuted as followers and believers of the one true King of Kings. It is the peace of God and the continuing grace of God that we rejoice in!
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Endurance or perseverance cannot be taught, it must be learned. The idea of endurance points to the weakness of man and to the power of God in our weakness.
It is impossible to develop endurance or perseverance without the suffering. Without suffering, what is there to endure? Our dependence on God in those times magnify His power in our lives! Paul goes on to say:
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
When Paul speaks of character, the Greek word dokimē is used. It means to be proven or purified. Character that has sustained the test. Paul could have been referencing Zechariah 13:9
9 I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”
Notice that God is not the cause of the problem, God brings us through the fire. Silver and gold have a natural tendency to pick up impurities when exposed to our natural environment. We also pick up impurities as we walk through this world. It is during the trials that we call upon the LORD our God and He purifies us through the Holy Spirit.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
We have witnessed the works of Christ through the Holy Spirit time and again. He has filled each of us with His grace, mercy, peace, and strength. Holy Spirit has walked many of us through the fire, multiple times.
Those trials and tribulations are what strengthen or purify us giving us our confident expectation of eternal glory.
Some think that God rations His love out. God does not ration His love out drop by drop, God continues to pour out His love into our hearts and our minds through Holy Spirit.
We make the moment by moment decision if we allow Him to be master or if we are going to be the master of our lives.
Christ in Our Place
Christ in Our Place
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Paul is making a simple point here in that man is without strength. Spiritually weak, useless, hopeless, destitute, and powerless. How often men and women have found themselves in the muck and the mire as a result of their own decisions, another persons decisions, or this worlds power over them.
It is not a matter of pointing fingers, we are simply not like God. In this flesh, we are ungodly. Yet Christ died for each of us. Giving every person the opportunity to come to the Father.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
Paul is pointing out that we may die for someone we love, this is the “good” person. Our love for a child or a friend may drive us to die for that person, but rarely would we die for someone we simply respect. Let’s compare that with God’s love.
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
This is the third stop on the Roman Road.This verse fundamentally changed my thoughts of God, other people, and my life.
Think for a moment. That person that upset you Jesus loves them enough to die for them. The people we have to tamp down our anger, disgust, and even hatred for; God loves them too.
Christ died for the ungodly. Really think about this from God’s perspective.
“God, I refuse to worship you.” The cross says I love you.
“God, I don't care what you want, I will do what I want”; from the cross, Jesus says I love you, Father forgive them.
“God, I hate you;” I love you so much that I will give my only begotten son in your place.
Jesus Christ reveals the magnitude of God’s love for you, for me, and for every other human being. As disciples, we can not allow ourselves to lose sight of the fact that we are to share His gift of salvation with all people. This includes the people that we may think are not worthy of His love. Even people that we detest. See people through His eyes.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Paul declares these truths in a very specific order. In verse nine he used the word “justified.” In verse ten, he used the word “reconciled.” In both verses, he says “shall we be saved.” If Paul is correct, salvation occurs in a specific order in God’s eyes when we place our faith in Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior.
1. Justified (Judicial) - God declares us innocent through Christ.
2. Reconciled (relational) - God removes the hostility between us and Him.
3. Salvation - Comes after God’s justification and reconciliation.
That is God’s mercy, love, and grace. That is what we rejoice in, that is what we share with the world. God bless you tonight. Please pray with me.