The Means of Justification and Peace With God
Romans 5:1-5 (MSB) 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 stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
V1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
The Greek word for justified is (G1344) δικαιόω dikaióō, which means (Vine NT): “denotes the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal”; its precise meaning is determined by that of the verb dikaioo, “to justify” (see B); it is used twice in the Ep. to the Romans, and there alone in the NT, signifying the establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guilt.”
We have been declared righteous and will not be subject to God’s wrath. God is the Lawgiver and Judge. Sin must be punished. Jesus bore our sins and the penalty for our sins.
We are not justified by anything other than faith, for it is God’s condition for salvation (John 3:15-18, Galatians 3:22-24, and Acts 13:39). This is so because Jesus shed His sacrificial blood on the cross (Hebrews 9:12-14 and Hebrews 13:12). Before faith, we were enemies of God (Romans 5:8-10, Colossians 1:21, and 1 John 2:15). Now, we have God’s peace, a peace beyond understanding to those who are not Christ-followers (John 14:27), for there is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:21). All of a believer’s blessings are because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, there are no eternal blessings for humanity.
V2 …through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
There is no entrance into God’s grace, the blessings of salvation (Ephesians 1:3), without having faith in Jesus Christ alone. Grace is receiving from God that we do not deserve. Rejoicing comes from our salvation. Our hope (expectation) is to be home in heaven. Meanwhile, we must be proper children of God the Father and good servants of God the Son, Jesus.
V3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…
Because of our salvation and hope, we can endure suffering. Suffering is guaranteed if one is a Christ-follower (2 Timothy 3:12). This and the next verse point out some blessings from suffering. The first is endurance. Instead of leaving or hiding the faith (Matthew 13:22), we grow stronger and persevere.
V4 …perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Suffering yields ➝ perseverance ➝ strength of character ➝hope.
V5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
The hope we have (expectation) in God, His character, and promises will not disappoint. It will be joy inexpressible. God’s love has been poured into our empty, needy hearts because we believed in His Son, Jesus. All Christ-followers have the Holy Spirit living in us with many blessings. See Romans 8:9-11 and 1 Corinthians 3:16.
We learn:
- About the blessings of our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
- The blessings of afflictions.
Questions:
- Are you rejoicing in your salvation?
- Are you growing from your afflictions?