ACCESS GRANTED (into this grace in which we stand)
Opening Statement:
INTRODUCTION
Peace : The want and the lack of it:
Prolific Author Has One Ambition
Georges Simenon is the creator of the legendary Inspector Maigret. At 67, Simenon is probably the most prolific novelist alive. He is the most translated author in the world, except for Lenin.
In April 1970, Simenon finished his 408th novel, according to his customary and astonishing schedule of finishing a book in a mere nine days.
Simenon wrote: “I have only one ambition left, to be completely at peace with myself. I doubt if I shall ever manage it. I do not think it is possible for anyone. It is not a question of money, for that kind of happiness must come from within yourself. I do not know any man, however successful, who is completely happy. I write because if I did not, I should die.”
Wrath of God:
Rejecting the Maker
WRATH OF GOD
Romans 1:18–23
(POSB, note 1, point 3)
The purpose and order in all of creation are enough to tell us there is a Supreme Being, a wise God behind it all. Sadly, however, many refuse to acknowledge the Creator as the One with all the answers, the Savior of mankind.
Some years ago a South American company purchased a fine printing press from a firm in the United States.
After it had been shipped and completely assembled, the workmen could not get it to operate properly. The most knowledgeable personnel tried to remedy the difficulty and bring it into proper adjustment, but to no avail. Finally the company wired a message to the manufacture, asking that they send a representative immediately to fix it.
… When [the technician] arrived on the scene, the South American officials were skeptical because he was a young man. After some discussion, they sent this cable to the manufacturer: “Your man is too young: send more experience person.” The reply came back, “He made the machine. Let him fix it!”109
The workers rejected the maker. How much worse to reject our Creator, the Sovereign Lord and Majesty of the universe! He made the world and all that is in it. The evidence is clear. Therefore, God’s wrath is justified against all who reject Him.
Access Denied:
CENTRAL IDEA:
Romans 5:1-2
EXPLANATION
JUSTIFIED:
PEACE WITH GOD
Chapter 5 opens with the wonderful assurance that those who are justified by faith have peace with God. That is a counseling statement. That peace, of course, is the fundamental peace that was achieved by Christ’s cross. It means those who are saved are no longer enemies. Ever since they surrendered in faith they have been not only captives of God but have become members of His empire. Peace with God means the cessation of hostilities, the elimination of enmity and access to the shalom of God.
Peace (shalom), as understood by the Jew, was a condition of prosperity, joy and contentment. It was often described as every person under his vine and fig tree. This peace however is never complete in this world of sin in which, because of the sin of others and one’s own sin as well, shalom is always less than it has potential to be. Therefore one must always keep growing in his love for God and his neighbor, since this is the path to the increase of shalom. Fundamentally, shalom means satisfaction that comes from satisfying God. While peace is held out as a desirable biblical goal and as a motive for service, it may never become one’s primary motive; that always must be to please God. Counselees looking for peace should be shown both sides of the page. On the one side is written “shalom” and on the other “Pleasing God.” They must not neglect the one for the other; nor may you allow counseling to deteriorate into mere peace-seeking conferences. If you do, they will be as hollow and meaningless, and about as effective, as the peacekeeping efforts of the U. N.
Through Christ we have been led into this grace in which we stand, says Paul. That means just about what I have been saying about the access into shalom that Jesus has provided for you. The mention of the word grace, however, suggests an additional dimension. All that you have—not only your justification, but everything you now have access to as a believer—is the result of God’s power, graciously at work in your life. It is unmerited goodness that Christ has loosed into your life; His unearned, undeserved power is at work making you more and more like Himself. And, as a result, there is more and more of the shalom that God promises.
INTRODUCTION BY FAITH
ACCESS Permission and ability to enter into a secured area or into the presence of someone important such as God. In the human realm access usually applied to persons who were permitted to see the king face-to-face (Esther 1:14). Thus they had a place to stand in the king’s presence (Zech. 3:7). Each royal court had its own rules. The Persian court which Esther faced set the death penalty for anyone who sought access to the king without royal permission (Esther 4:11). The NT teaches that every person can now have access to God because Jesus’ death on the cross has opened the way. Such access is actually experienced by those who express personal trust in Jesus and rely on divine grace. This brings peace and eternal hope (Rom. 5:1–2), but it is always dependent upon the heavenly King’s royal favor, not upon entrance requirements established or met by humans. Both Gentiles and Jews have an open door to the Father through Christ’s death on the cross and through the work of the Holy Spirit present in the believer’s life (Eph. 2:10–18). Access to God through faith in Christ was God’s eternal purpose and gives the believer confidence and boldness to approach God (Eph. 3:12). Old Testament religious practices allowed only the high priest to enter the holy of holies and that only once a year (Lev. 16:2, 34). Through Christ believers have constant access to the holiest place, where God is (Heb. 10:19–22).
APPLICATION
Claim your peace with God as a present reality and a future hope.
The basic teaching is that through our Lord Jesus Christ peace is established between us and God, whether or not we feel it from moment to moment. In Christ we claim peace with God, even when we are experiencing turmoil.