Romans 5:1-11: [1] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. [6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Our world seems to be searching constantly for hope and peace. Whether it is mediated through governmental authorities, religion, or personal freedom, people are desperate to connect with something that gives them purpose and meaning. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Rome reminds us of the only thing that can bring true and lasting hope and peace, namely reconciliation to God. As common as these words may be to many, let us consider the cost of this reconciliation, before we consider the comfort of this reconciliation.
Paul tells us that this reconciliation was infinitely costly. The justification of a Christian, by faith, comes only by the blood of Jesus (Rom 5:9a). Christ’s death alone saves Christians from the wrath of God (5:9b). Just think about it: nothing less than the blood of Jesus could bring you or me to the Father. Only those who have truly grasped the gravity of sin can comprehend what this means. What is more amazing is that those were those who were once hostile to God are now those who are justified, having peace with God. Paul describes them as “weak” and “ungodly” (5:6), as well as sinners” (5:8) and “enemies” (5:10). Men and women across the world pay inordinate amounts of money for what they think will bring them peace. But nothing on earth is comparable in value to what peace actually cost: the life of the Son.
This amazing gift of reconciliation should bring great comfort to those who have been justified. The believer is one who now stands in grace. For anyone who has struggled with their failures or shortcomings, you can now stand in grace. For all who feel that your sins have made you unforgiveable, by faith you can stand. For anyone who feels a wave of persecution for your faith, remember that you are anchored in blood-bought grace. This justification not only brings comfort when things are going well, but rather gives us a proper perspective when things do not. Paul says that the end goal of suffering is hope (5:3-4). Not that the Christian seeks out suffering. But when suffering does come, we can trust that since the worst has been done to Jesus, we will be ok. In fact, we have a hope that is accompanied by the third member of the trinity. And that is hope that we can hang on to!
