Read Romans 5:1–11
Questions from the Scripture text: By what have we been justified (Romans 5:1)? What does that give us with God? In what do we stand (Romans 5:2)? In what do we rejoice? What do we glory in (Romans 5:3)? What does tribulation produce? What does perseverance produce (Romans 5:4)? What does character produce? What does not disappoint (Romans 5:5)? What has been poured out in our hearts? How? When did Christ die (Romans 5:6)? For whom did Christ die? How does God demonstrate His love for us (Romans 5:8)? What happens to us after we are justified by Christ’s blood (Romans 5:9) and reconciled through the death of His Son (Romans 5:10)? In whom do we rejoice through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:11)?
Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Song of Adoration, and Prayer of Confession all come from Romans 5:1–11, so that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow.
This passage describes the Christian life, once we are made right with God (justified). It is a life of peace and hope and joy!
First, we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). He is entirely for us now, just as He is entirely against wickedness. How did this come about? By reconciliation (Romans 5:10-11). Enmity has been exchanged for peace. The death of Christ has ended our enmity with God.
But what about Christians who have trouble (Romans 5:3a)? Especially the kind of trouble that the apostle would describe later in Romans 7:13–24? It is precisely that trouble through which we receive the perseverance (Romans 5:3b) and the character that produces hope (Romans 5:4)! God trains us to rejoice already in those things that Christ has earned for us for the future (Romans 5:2).
What has He earned for us? The very glory of God (Romans 5:2, Romans 5:11)! How can we be sure that we will enter into God’s glory? Because He has already justified us (Romans 5:1a, Romans 5:9, cf. Romans 8:1). If when we were without strength (Romans 5:6), and when we were ungodly, and when we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)… now what will God do for us?! He will strengthen us by His Spirit to kill our remaining sinfulness (cf. Romans 8:12–17).
Here is an amazing truth: we are no longer without strength! We are in Jesus Christ. He has poured His love out in our hearts. His grace makes us strong in Him, with His strength instead of ours. Because we have none in ourselves!
We are now counted righteous in Christ! How much more will God do for us now?! There can be absolutely no doubt that He is completing our salvation. Therefore, we can rejoice in this hope, for it is sure.
Peace and hope and joy. Did you notice that all of them depend upon Christ’s cross and final glory? What don’t they depend upon? Our circumstances! If you are in Christ, then peace and hope and joy are for you—regardless of current circumstances.
What circumstances threaten your peace, hope, and joy? In whom are your peace, hope, and joy sure?
Sample prayer: Lord, we adore You for Your everlasting, electing love for us. How greatly You demonstrated Your love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! And now, in Your fatherly love, You give us whatever trouble we need to produce perseverance, character, and hope. Forgive us for when we murmur under Your kind providence. And shed Your love abroad in our hearts, we pray, by Your Spirit—which we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH519 “I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow”
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