Justified by Faith - Romans 5:1-11

This past weekend we examined how we can become addicted to approval, trying to justify our existence. The remedy can be found in discovering our significance in Christ. This week the workbook lesson, could prove to be particularly valuable.

1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

If you find your justification in any other way than through faith in Jesus Christ, you will never have peace. We have been justified by the grace of God and we access through faith, looking forward to the return of Christ when our hope is fully actualized. 

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

In what every challenges and difficulties we’re facing we can glory (rejoice) because it is an opportunity to become more Christ-like.  

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The hope of Christ-likeness is that the very life of Jesus has been placed in us by the Holy Spirit. This can be a difficult concept to grasp but it is a living reality. If we will depend on Him, God’s love will be demonstrated in our lives.

6-8 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We are of such value to God, that even when we were in antagonist rebellion against Him, He was willing to die for us to redeem us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

There is a coming day of God’s wrath but those who have been justified through the finish work of Jesus – we will be saved from that wrath.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

We have been reconciled to God and saved from God’s wrath, through nothing we’ve earned but by trusting in the work of Jesus Christ for our justification, which totally transforms our lives.