I have not written for awhile now, for my time varies in busyness and then busy relaxing. However, I have found a short few minutes to write. Through my weekly reading through first Romans-Philemon and then the rest of the NT writings, Romans as well as all of Gods Word has become dear to my heart. In Romans Paul explains the power of the gospel. The first part of the gospel is the wrath of God and that everyone is deserving. Paul then explains the gospel and how it is redemptive, a propitiation, and serves as justification. Paul explains the Cross no longer as bad news as Peter did in early Acts, but as good news and power. He explains it as a gift to be received by faith. After this Paul goes into detail about faith alone and Abraham. By the end of chapter 4 we understand Christ died for our sins was buried and rose again.
Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
God raised Christ from the dead for our justification, to declare those who believe righteous. That is, Christ's righteousness is credited to our account. By the time one gets to Romans 5 one has been taught the preaching of the Cross, the gospel of God's grace, and how one is to receive God's gift. It is through faith one is justified.
Romans 5 starts out by teaching now what the Spirit has done and what God has given to that justified person. It is this reason why I write.
Romans 5:1-2, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Paul lists 3 things here in the first two verses of chapter five. 1)We have peace with God, 2)We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, 3)Rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
First, notice the words in verse one before Paul's list. "Therefore being justified by faith", notice the "ed" at the end of "justified". It is past tense, it is a state of "being". One who believes the Cross work of Christ is justified. They have a standing before God not with any righteousness they have done, but of Christ's righteousness. It is done. It is a standing that never changes because it is solely based upon Christ. In fact, Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." I quote this because as sure as Christ lives forever so is your state of being as justified, because Christ maketh intercession for you based upon the Cross and it is Christ's perfect faith on the Cross that justifies a believer. The three things Paul lists are results of "therefore being justified by faith". Before I use the rest of this blog to touch on the first of the list, I quickly want to note something. In this chapter and these verses no hint of perseverance to the end in order to be saved is mentioned. Under grace the believer is given everything right up front. This is opposite of Jews in time past and in the future, for they have to hold fast until the end.
"But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Heb. 3:14
"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:" Heb. 6:11
"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1 Pet. 1:9
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, e sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
1 Pet. 1:13
Jews in early Acts and in the future will have to believe until Christ returns during His second advent, or else they will not receive the grace of God. They receive the end of their faith which is their salvation. This all changed with the raising up of the Apostle Paul. We today, however, receive the gift of grace first the moment we believe.
"That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ." Eph. 1:12
"Therefore being justified by faith", one has as their standing and in their possession numerous spiritual blessings. The first mentioned in Romans 1 is, "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
"We have peace with God", the two parties mentioned are the "justified by faith" and "God". The spiritual blessing is "peace with God". This is a drastic change from what Paul says in Romans 3:19, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Everyone is guilty, but if one believes the gospel, that is, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, one is justified by faith and has as their present possession "peace with God". What a fantastic spiritual blessing to have? One that not only works in your heart and soul, but affects your mind and life. What does it mean to have peace with God? It means the wrath written about in chapters 1-3, your wage of sin (Rom. 6:23) has been settled. It is because of Christ payment of your sin debt (redemption) that God not only declares you righteous, but now looks upon you in peace. It is not that God has given you righteousness, but think that it is unfair. Now God because of Christ not only looks on you with peace, but "we have peace with God". Relationship is now welcomed through Christ and much more. God through the work of Christ has provided reconciliation, that is, to restore fellowship with His human creation. He has provided this by the Cross, but those who believe "have" it, we have restored relationship with Christ. Praise God.
"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." Eph. 2:15-17
The first "making peace" mentioned in this passage is between Jew and Gentile, but then Paul speaks about "reconcile both unto God" and "having slain the enmity thereby" that is, "by the cross". Then God sent Paul to preach "peace" to the Jew and Gentile. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:1, "peace" was achieved for us on the cross, preached to us through the gospel, and for those that receive it by faith, HAVE IT!!!
As I end I will mention that I will write again on this chapter and especially Paul's list. The first result, yea rather spiritual blessing one "has" after by faith receiving the gospel of grace, the first blessing one pulls out of that gift, is "peace with God". What a glorious blessing to attain and have, not by any works we have done, but solely on Christ. It is to have restored relationship and fellowship with God Almighty the possessor of heaven and earth and that in kindness, love, and grace, because it is Christ that satisfies God the Father. It is Christ, "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood", God is true to His Word. May you "therefore being justified by faith" take hold of your spiritual blessing in Christ, to "have peace with God" and let that peace rule your mind and heart. It is peace you have, not insecurity, a sense of condemnation, but "peace". May you not "stand fast" in order to get peace, but "stand fast" in it because you "have" it.
Look Up,
Josh Strelecki
