What Justification Brings?
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
Verse 1 has a double introduction. “Therefore,” Paul begins, indicating that these verses are the consequence of truths he has just set out in the previous chapter. Then he continues, “Since we have been justified through faith” – these consequences will be the benefits that flow from the great doctrine of justification by faith, finally and eternally seen and secured at the cross. In light of all that we have seen, here are three realities that justification brings.
First, there is “peace with God” (Rom.5:1). This is not the same as the “peace of God” (in Philippians 4:7 and elsewhere), which is a calm and satisfied heart amid troubles. Peace with God means that the state of hostilities between God and us is now over. It is objective and happens whether or not we feel happy and secure.
Until salvation, there is a war going on between God and us. When we sin, we break His law and assume the right to do so, claiming kingship over ourselves. But God claims kingship over the same things, leading to war. Additionally, our disobedience means that God’s wrath is upon us (Romans 1:18). This is why we cannot simply turn back to God; we need to be reconciled to him (Ro.5:9-10).
Second, there is “access to grace in which we stand” (Ro.5:2a). Access to grace means we are given a favorable position to develop a personal relationship with God. In Christ, we are ushered into the royal throne room and remain there. Justification is not merely the removal of hostility; it has a positive aspect: relationship and friendship with God.
Third, there is the hope of the glory of God (Ro.5:2b). This is a definite anticipation of sharing God’s future glory. Christian hope is not a hopeful wish – it is a hope-filled certainty. The more we experience our peace and access with the Father, the more desirous and certain we become about the prospect of glory and heaven.
These three benefits of justification represent the three tenses of our salvation. In Christ, we have been freed from our past, we are free in the present to enjoy a personal relationship with God, and we will one day experience the freedom of life lived in the full presence of God’s glory.
How does understanding the comprehensive nature of justification by faith (past, present, future) change the way you view your relationship with God?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 5:1-11 were drawn from Tim Keller’s book “Romans 1-7 for You“]
I think that understanding the comprehensive nature of justification by faith changes the way I view my relationship with God in that it gives an assurance of the hope that I have in Him through Jesus. An understanding of justification as a one-time event with continuing results means that I have been made right with God, I have access to a right relationship with Him, and one day, I am certain to obtain the promise of His glory in which I place my hope, despite the way things may “seem” or “feel” from time to time. This differs greatly from a kind of wishful, optimistic thinking that only looks to the bright side of life and ignores the bad. After all, there can be no resurrection apart from death- but in Christ, the hope of the resurrection and the promise of God stands certain and secure. It is not contingent upon me or what I do, but is the result of who He is and what He has done. What could be more certain than that??
My understanding of my relationship with God evolved over time and still changes as my relationship with the Father deepens. I’m certain today that I cannot earn His love and I’m also certain that I benefit from His love and care. I see the works He does in shaping who I am now and I see the changes so evidently. Everyone changes but often the changes are too slow and subtle to be noticed especially by the one who is changed but the changes I feel occur in such a relatively short time and so counter to my view of myself that I can’t help but notice it.
Being near Him and trusting in Him is no longer just a matter of faith but a certainty for me. To the point where I long for Him. It’s almost fatalistic in some way because I being with Him is so much more desirable than anything this life offer me. But I trust that He still has a purpose for me so I will wait for His perfect time when I can meet Him in person.
I think that I feel the presence of the Father most when I observe His work. He’s always there but when He’s doing something that highlights His presence then I feel Him even more and that’s make me joyful and so I look for Him. When life is difficult or when things are not going well, when I can see the Lord, my perspective changes and though nothing outwardly is different I still feel peace knowing that He’s near.
Whatever life brings, it is just a moment in time. Soon we will be with God and everything else just requires patience which can be endure by looking For Him and being as close to Him as possible.