Romans 5:1-5

In Romans chapters 3 and 4 we have studied how God justifies us when we trust Christ, even though we are guilty, because Christ has paid for our sins. Now Romans 5:1-5 give four practical results of our justification.

1. We have permanent peace with God (Verse 1)

2. We have unbroken access to (use of) our righteous standing with God. (Verse 2)

3. We can confidently rejoice about our future. (Verse 2)

4. We can rejoice about troubles now. (Verse 3-5)

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(Vs 1.) People talk of making their peace with God when facing death. But no one can make his own peace with God. As long as even one sin is unpaid, we can only expect wrath from God’s justice. (Rom 2:5) But when we trusted in Christ’s payment for our sin, we were justified, that is declared righteous, (Rom 3:22-25). Christ’s payment has permanently satisfied the justice of God, (Heb 10:12-14). All our sins are paid for, so we never need fear God’s wrath and judgment for sin, now or in the future, (Rom 5:9,10). Therefore we have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". No sin stands between us and God, all strife is ended.

Because our justification and forgiveness is complete when we first trust Christ, (Col 2:10,13) our standing with God does not depend on our daily prayers and confessions, as in Israel’s program (I John 1:9; Mat 6:12-15; Lev 26:40-42). So our peace with God is permanent and unchanging. We may not always experience the peace of God, but we are always at peace with God. (More on this in verse 3)

(Vs 2.) "This grace wherein we stand" refers back to our justification and peace with God. This is how we stand with God. Justified and at peace! But how do we access, or use, this standing in daily life? "By faith", and here’s how. When you sin, remember and believe that you are justified and forgiven. No more asking forgiveness, confessing, sacrificing, penance etc., like before Jesus came. No more fear of punishment or thinking you’re out of fellowship with God. Instead of feeling guilty and depressed, remember your standing with God, believe it and be thankful, and go on. Phil 3:13,14 That is accessing your standing by faith!

Last week we defined "hope" as confident expectation. Another good definition is eager anticipation of a sure thing! We can rejoice in the sure expectation of the "glory of God". What a difference justification makes! Before we were justified, in Romans 3:23 we came far short of the glory of God. Now we rejoice in being part of it! (Titus 3:3-7; Eph 2:4-7)

What is the "glory of God" and when do we get it? The glory of God is the essence of God - His righteousness, justice, power, truth, His appearance of light. (I Tim 6:15,16) All the things that He is, we will be, share in, and demonstrate to His other creations.(Rom 8:17-19&29,30; Eph 1:10-12) Our capacity to demonstrate God’s glory will depend on how much we develop that capacity right now, by learning and living His word. (Col 3:23,24; I Cor 3:8-15) So we will differ in the resurrection, (I Cor 15:41,42). We will get our glorified bodies (Phil 3:20,21) at the I Thes 4:13-18 event at the end of this age, when all members of the body of Christ will be raised together in glorified form to meet the Lord in the air. (Also I Cor 15:49-54)

We can get through anything if we know we have a sure and glorious future. (Rom 8:22-25) See how Paul was motivated by knowing this in II Cor 4:13,14. Also Hebrews 11:7-40 shows what Old Testament saints endured because they had a "hope" too.

(Vs 3.) We can even rejoice about having troubles. Here’s why. God uses tribulations to build character and confidence in Him, and hence our ability to demonstrate His glory, both now (II Cor 1:3,4) and in eternity. (II Cor 4:16,17; Rom 8:17,18) Our justification gave instant and permanent peace with God, but it didn’t give patience or the peace of God. That’s what tribulation teaches.

But first we must realize that we are not under the law, that God does not bring tribulations on us as punishment for sin. Under the law, God’s wrath came on Israel to show them their sin, like a parent punishes a child. (Lev 26:14- 33; Gal 4:1-5) But under grace, we can glory in tribulations because they are not a punishment from God, and He uses life’s troubles to build our faith and character. See some of Paul’s tribulations in II Cor 11:23-33.

If we never had tribulations, we would never seek God, (Ps 119:67,71) or learn to apply God’s thinking to our situations. While thinking through our troubles in earnest prayer, God speaks to us through His word that we have stored in our heart. We begin to see the situation from His viewpoint, and then we get peace about it. This is how tribulations cause us to experience the peace with God that we have in verse 1. See Phil 4:6,7; Is 26:3; II Tim 1:7

Tribulations may be caused by (1.)our own mistakes (Gal 6:7,8), (2.)our stand for Christ (II Tim 3:12) or (3.)just come with life "such as is common unto man" (I Cor 10:13). In any case, if we apply the word of God and think like He does about our troubles, they will work patience instead of despair. Patience is endurance, or peace under pressure, as seen in II Cor 4:8-10

(Vs 4.) Patience produces experience. Experience is skill in handling life. When Paul was in trouble, he knew who to trust, in II Cor 1:8,9. Experience produces great confidence in God’s word, because we find that it works. (I Thes 2:13; Ps 119:92,114,165) Confidence is hope. So experience works hope.

(Vs 5.) "And hope maketh not ashamed;" Confidence (hope) produces boldness, not shame. See the wonderful boldness expressed in Rom 8:31-34, all because we know God is for us, and nothing can separate us from Him, (Rom 8:35-39).

"The love of God" is His value and esteem for us. The Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of God, is given to us when we first believe in Christ (Eph 1:13) and teaches us understanding of God’s word, (I Cor 2:12-14). The realization from His word of His love for us, fills our hearts with gratitude, and causes us to rejoice instead of despairing. It also motivates us to live for Him instead of ourselves, (II Cor 5:14,15).

Next, God has proven His love to us. We never need doubt it, regardless of our troubles.

M. Dent

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