Romans Chapter 5, Pt.1: Justified By Faith
Over the next few weeks, I'd like for us to take an in-depth look at the fifth chapter of the book of Romans, which contains some of the most powerful scripture ever written by the apostle Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We'll begin our study with the first five verses, Romans 5:1-5...
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. And patience, experience and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us."
Verse one begins with Paul's declaration that we are justified by our faith, and that it is our faith which brings us into a state of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, what does it mean to be justified by faith? We know that without faith it is impossible to please God, but here, Paul adds another dimension to faith by directly linking it with our justification. It is our sin which causes enmity and separation between ourselves and God, and it is justification which removes the guilt of sin, thereby making way for us to be at peace with God. However, we need to bear in mind that without the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, we would be without hope. We read in Ephesians 2:14-16..."For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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..." It is our faith in His death, burial, and resurrection that provides our justification in the eyes of God.
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." With verse two, Paul tells us that our faith in Jesus grants us access to God's grace. Such a beautiful and sacred privilege to be given access to the grace of God, for it is grace which saves us. Paul writes later in Ephesians 2:8..."For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Our faith affords us access to God's grace, by which we are saved, but even our faith is a gift from God. Even the very faith which we claim as our own has been given to us freely by the merciful hand of God. The wonderful gift of God's grace is what we are to cling to, and rejoice in, and through His grace we have hope of life eternal when this life has ended. God's grace provides us with blessings which we could never hope to earn, or be worthy of, on our own. Paul finishes the second verse with a stirring reminder of the reason for our joy, as he tells us to "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We should find contentment, peace, and happiness in the fact that we have been given an assurance of future glory.
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;" Paul issues a challenge here, telling us that we are to glory in tribulations, because trials are God's way of refining our patience. Although the concept is not hard to understand, actually implementing this in our everyday lives can prove to be exceedingly difficult. When problems arise in our life, we need to try to focus on the fact that there is a lesson here to be learned, and that our character is being tested, and like a trial by fire, God is working on us, improving us, making us stronger, and preparing us for the future. Paul was led by the Spirit, and as such, he was able to see things as they truly are. This is the reason why Paul was able to withstand being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and beaten. He understood that God was refining his character, making him into what God wanted him to be, and this is what Paul is trying to convey to us. With prayer, the Spirit will lead us into this same mindset, and help us to see problems as they are, as an opportunity for growth, as well as a chance for us to be closer to what God would have us to be.
"And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" Verse 4 continues this thought, as Paul links patience to experience, and experience to hope. On the surface, these seem to be a natural progression, one into the next. However, if we look a little deeper, we can see that each trial that we go through, that is, each test that God gives us, gives us that much more experience which we can draw on during our next trial. Experience also tells us that there will always be another trial, another test. Though we can never hope to attain perfection as long as we are in the flesh, we should strive to see trials as evidence that God has not given up on us. He is longsuffering in His efforts to perfect His children, because He loves us. This is a sure reason for lasting hope.
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us." Paul here reassures us that hope does not bring shame, because our hope is anchored on the never-ending love of God, our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Friend.
Paul concludes the fifth verse by acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit, telling us that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us. We need to be mindful of this magnificent gift, and ever thankful for His work in our life. Not only does the Spirit lead us, but He also fills us with the love of God, and encourages us to share it with the rest of the world.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Verse one begins with Paul's declaration that we are justified by our faith, and that it is our faith which brings us into a state of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, what does it mean to be justified by faith? We know that without faith it is impossible to please God, but here, Paul adds another dimension to faith by directly linking it with our justification. It is our sin which causes enmity and separation between ourselves and God, and it is justification which removes the guilt of sin, thereby making way for us to be at peace with God. However, we need to bear in mind that without the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, we would be without hope. We read in Ephesians 2:14-16..."For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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..." It is our faith in His death, burial, and resurrection that provides our justification in the eyes of God.
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." With verse two, Paul tells us that our faith in Jesus grants us access to God's grace. Such a beautiful and sacred privilege to be given access to the grace of God, for it is grace which saves us. Paul writes later in Ephesians 2:8..."For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Our faith affords us access to God's grace, by which we are saved, but even our faith is a gift from God. Even the very faith which we claim as our own has been given to us freely by the merciful hand of God. The wonderful gift of God's grace is what we are to cling to, and rejoice in, and through His grace we have hope of life eternal when this life has ended. God's grace provides us with blessings which we could never hope to earn, or be worthy of, on our own. Paul finishes the second verse with a stirring reminder of the reason for our joy, as he tells us to "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We should find contentment, peace, and happiness in the fact that we have been given an assurance of future glory.
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;" Paul issues a challenge here, telling us that we are to glory in tribulations, because trials are God's way of refining our patience. Although the concept is not hard to understand, actually implementing this in our everyday lives can prove to be exceedingly difficult. When problems arise in our life, we need to try to focus on the fact that there is a lesson here to be learned, and that our character is being tested, and like a trial by fire, God is working on us, improving us, making us stronger, and preparing us for the future. Paul was led by the Spirit, and as such, he was able to see things as they truly are. This is the reason why Paul was able to withstand being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and beaten. He understood that God was refining his character, making him into what God wanted him to be, and this is what Paul is trying to convey to us. With prayer, the Spirit will lead us into this same mindset, and help us to see problems as they are, as an opportunity for growth, as well as a chance for us to be closer to what God would have us to be.
"And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" Verse 4 continues this thought, as Paul links patience to experience, and experience to hope. On the surface, these seem to be a natural progression, one into the next. However, if we look a little deeper, we can see that each trial that we go through, that is, each test that God gives us, gives us that much more experience which we can draw on during our next trial. Experience also tells us that there will always be another trial, another test. Though we can never hope to attain perfection as long as we are in the flesh, we should strive to see trials as evidence that God has not given up on us. He is longsuffering in His efforts to perfect His children, because He loves us. This is a sure reason for lasting hope.
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us." Paul here reassures us that hope does not bring shame, because our hope is anchored on the never-ending love of God, our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Friend.
Paul concludes the fifth verse by acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit, telling us that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us. We need to be mindful of this magnificent gift, and ever thankful for His work in our life. Not only does the Spirit lead us, but He also fills us with the love of God, and encourages us to share it with the rest of the world.
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