Apr 28, 2019
Originally Presented: February 11, 2007
Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1,2
Having elaborated on the doctrine of justification by faith alone, in Romans 4, Paul now draws out some of the implications of this wondrous truth. Every major translation of Romans 5:1 begins with the word 'therefore'. Because we have been declared righteous by God, on the basis of faith in Jesus, certain things are true and follow wonderfully.
First, we have peace with God (Rom 5:1).
This is not the subjective feeling of peace, which God gives ("Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you . . ." - Jn 14:27), but the objective standing of being reconciled to God. What is described in this verse is not peace from God, but peace with God. We are no longer enemies of God because the enmity has been removed through Christ.
Second, knowing that we have obtained the standing of being accepted by God, we "exult in the hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:2). This is the confident expectation of eternal life and the thought of it produces exultation, joy, delight, pleasure. A man cannot consider the everlasting ramifications of being with God and enjoying Him forever, and not feel something of a profound joy deep in his soul.
Surely it is true that we do not experience deeper joy because we have not plumbed the depths of what it means that we have been reconciled to God. Surely the "hope of the glory of God" could burn more brightly within us.