Romans 5:1,2 says: “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God’”
These two verses give three products of God’s work of justification for us.
Do your eyes glaze over a bit when you hear theological words? Do they intimidate in their aura of mystery and feel relegated to irrelevance from every day life? Justification may be one of those words. The usage of the word can vary. Have you ever tried to ‘justify yourself’ to make a behavior seem less egregious to someone. Many times no amount of explaining or rationalizing will suffice to fix things. ‘It’s not THAT bad…’ ‘His behavior is far worse than mine…’ I’m not nearly late to work as often as she is…’ Sometimes there are simply not enough responses to satisfy. Which is exactly why we need Justification. What does justification practically do for us? Three things.
First, we have peace, most importantly with God. I know our world needs peace as do our families and neighborhoods. But peace with God we can have as a reality is what enables all other pieces of peace to happen. Someone said that you can’t experience the peace of God (as in 1 John 1:9) until you make your peace with God. Peace with God is what Christ alone has provided for you. You can’t do that. Only He can.
Justification did that.
Then, we have ‘obtained our introduction’ into this work of justification which enables us to have standing before God. No longer are we left awkwardly standing in the room wondering if anyone will say hello or greet us to ease our inner angst. It’s as if Jesus Christ sees only me in the room, puts His arm around my shoulder in friendship and acceptance, and takes me right over to the Father God and says “Father I want to
introduce you to Chuck. He is one of the family purchased by my blood.” And I am welcomed home.
Justification did that.
Also, we exult (rejoice) in the hope of the glory of God. In the Old Testament we observe that the glory (Presence) of God was manifest in the Tabernacle and the Temple. What reassurance to the people of Israel to know that He was there and the full resources of the Almighty God were available. What reassurance for us that the same ever present Christ whose glory we beheld (John 1:14) is with us. And He longs to show us the Father (John 14:8) so that we are transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18) in hopefulness. There isn’t a place I don’t need His presence.
Justification did that.
P. S. I found 4 other products of our justification in verses 3 – 11 of Romans 5. Let me know what you find in your lenten dig. Pastor Chuck
Scripture readings this week
- March 8 – Exodus 7
- March 9 – Exodus 8
- March 10 – Exodus 9:1-12
- March 13 – John 12:1-11
- March 14 – John 12:12-36