Peace by Grace, not Works

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 5:1-11

 

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith^[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we^[c] rejoice^[d] in hope of the glory of God. 

(ESV)

 

This Sunday is Easter or Resurrection Sunday, a day set aside in the Christian faith when Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord from the dead three days after the crucifixion. Most of us know people in our lives who do not know Jesus as their personal savior. I urge everyone reading this to be bold and invite their lost friends and family to Church this weekend so they can hear the gospel message and have an opportunity to accept God’s free gift of salvation.

 

The text of Romans 5:1-11 is a passionate teaching on peace with God through faith. The teaching begins with Paul teaching that we have peace with God because of our justification through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Not only do believers have peace with God, but justification also gives us access to God the father so believers can rejoice in their hope of future glory (Romans 5:2). However, Paul also teaches about rejoicing in suffering producing endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). The hope believers have in Christ does not put them to shame for it is based on God’s love that has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

 

The teaching continues with Paul reminding believers that Christ died for them when they were weak and ungodly (Romans 5:6). While people would scarcely die for a righteous person but perhaps die for a good person, Jesus died for sinners which includes all humanity (Romans 3:23; 5:7-8). Justification through the blood of Christ is good but salvation through the blood of Christ also saves believers from the wrath of God for there is no condemnation in Christ (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:9). Believers are reconciled to God through Jesus’ death, satisfying the legal requirement of blood to cover sins and saved by His resurrection (Hebrews 2:17; Romans 5:10). Paul experienced the joy of reconciliation with God and encourages all believers to rejoice in the reconciliation they have received through Christ (Romans 5:11).

 

The context of the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19) indicates that Paul was passionate about justification by faith through the grace of God because he dramatically experienced it himself. Saul, a Pharisee and man of the law was so passionate about adherence to the law that he broke the law by murdering innocent Christians (Acts 9:1-2). On the road to Damascus, Saul experienced the grace of God and converted from being a persecutor of Christians to a missionary taking the message of the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. His passion for the grace of God came from experiencing it in his life.

 

Everyone reading this and the one writing the post have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Therefore, we all live under the death penalty for sin but also have a free gift of eternal life available because of what Jesus did on the cross (Romans 6:23). Even though eternal life is a free gift, the recipient must claim and open the gift to enjoy its benefits. Romans 10:9-10 instructs us on how to redeem the gift through a profession of belief in Jesus as Lord, and belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. If you are reading this and have never redeemed this gift of salvation, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

We should all thank God and be eternally grateful that we can experience His grace and escape His wrath. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.