January 10, 2014
PERPETUAL JOY FUELED BY PERMANENT PEACE
Romans 5:1-11
Will Bostian
Central Truth
In the beginning of Romans 5, Paul explains the result of our justification coming by faith, namely that we now have peace with God. He goes on to explain what sort of effect this peace with God has on our lives and our endurance in suffering.
Key Verse | Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
Romans 5:1-11
Peace with God Through Faith
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we 1 5:1 Some manuscripts let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith 2 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we 3 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3 rejoice 4 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11 in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 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.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Dive Deeper | Romans 5:1-11
In Romans 5:1, Paul summarizes the idea he has been painstakingly developing and the enormous consequence of that truth. We have been declared righteous by faith and now have peace with God. If you believe in a small God, then peace with Him will be a small reward. But if you believe in a big God -- the God of the Bible -- then peace with Him is a big deal. When we forget the greatness of the gospel, it is likely because we forgot the greatness of God and the reality that apart from Christ we are enemies of God. It wasn't that God was previously indifferent toward us. The astounding truth of God's love is that Jesus died for us while we were His enemies. We were destined for destruction, but now we are declared righteous and counted as sons.
What accompanies this peace with God? Unshakable joy. First, we have joy in the the hope that we will one day be at home with our Maker in glory. God is supremely glorious over all creation. This fact condemns us apart from Christ, enslaved to desires that place something else at the pinnacle of our worship. But now God's glory is our good, so we rejoice in it! We aren't living in conflict with the King; we also rejoice in our suffering. What? Is that possible? Yes, when we know suffering produces endurance, character, and eventually hope. And, Church, we have good reason to hope! We know God loves us because we have His Spirit living in us -- because we have peace with Him now through Jesus.
The soul at peace with God can authentically live a life of unshakable joy. My hope is that today you will remember the gospel and that you are reconciled to God because of the finished work of Jesus. We can't make peace with God through some petty religious offering or by checking off some box. Labor and abide today as a child of the King, adopted in love, commissioned to serve, and unshakably joyful.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you ever find yourself trying to earn peace with God after you have failed to be obedient to Him in some way?
2. What are some ways you are reminded of God's greatness?
3. Do you know someone who is currently in a season of suffering? How can you encourage them to endure with hope?
4. Is there anyone in your life whom you have the opportunity to extend grace toward now in the same way that God has extended grace toward you?