Romans 5:1-11
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
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.
Christ in Our Place
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Here we find God reminding you an me how our gift of faith justifies us to God in Christ and brings us the long-awaited peace with God when we are then found in Him and His righteousness alone. This is the eternal life which begins at our spiritual conception as reborn children (John 1:13, 1 Peter 1:3, 23) adopted into the family of God (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1:4-6, 1 John 3:1) with our fellow Jews and Gentiles called out of every nation on this world created by God’s hands of goodness and mercy in grace. We now stand firm on the Rock (Matthew 7:24, Luke 6:48) of our foundation of faith on Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Peter 2:4-5) which gives us perseverance and settled peace in eternal security with Him. Nobody can take that away once given because this life and salvation is eternal and not transitory such that we or any other can be greater than God to take our standing on the Rock away from us once called and chosen and delivered from death and sin. This gives us joy unspeakable as we grow through hard pressing times as we keep our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith who works out our spiritual character and trust of our sanctification to persevere, building deeper hope in this new man as we reflect in Him face to face (2 Corinthians 3:18). This hope cannot ever disappoint as witnesses and assured by the promises of God come to life in His love for we His children which He lavishly poured out on us, filling our hearts with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) of life and holiness with great assurance and understanding. We stand in shock and awe with wonder as to why Jesus would sacrifice Himself and die for sinners such as I because we have no strength or ability to earn this standing on the Rock of our salvation. We stand in wonder at how He could show such love as to suffer and die for we who are not good in our sin-tainted natures from birth. Because Christ died for us while we were still sinners, because we have been justified by the just one (Romans 3:26) who willingly sacrificed Himself and shed His life’s blood to cover our sin (Genesis 3:21, Leviticus 17:11, Psalm 85:2, Hebrews 9:22), so shall we be certainly saved from God’s just wrath on our unholy and rebellious sin through Him! Once God’s enemies, we have been reconciled by His death and life, brought into adoption as sons and daughters of the King of glory with great rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ who reconciled us to Himself and the Father with His Spirit taking up residence in all who are His (Romans 8:9, Titus 3:5-7) as a permanent seal of ownership (John 14:16) and status as His children and citizens of Heaven. This is our justifiable faith giving us peace and life. What a reason to rejoice!
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