STUDIES IN THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
“The Results of Justification”
Romans 5:1-11
Introduction: Romans 5 marks another major turning point in this treatise. The Holy Spirit assumes the reader has accepted the argument for justification through faith and then proceeds to spell out the implications of this new relationship in the lives of those who are justified.
1. Note shift from argumentative style to confessional style.
2. Note shift from second and third person to first person.
3. Note implication - to accept God’s free gift means to accept His Lordship over my life.
4. Chapters 5-8 deal with the realities of this new life as a justified believer.
5. This section - Rom. 5:1-11 - focuses on the assurance of those who are justified.
Central Truth: The justified believer is the recipient of the following blessings.
I. Peace with God is a result of justification. ( 1)
1. Based on fact not feelings
2. If God is at peace with you, He is at war with those not justified.
3. Means - through Jesus Christ
4. Rest in the certainty of your justification.
II. Access into God’s presence is a result of justification. ( 2)
1. Direct access into God’s presence
2. We now have and will continue to have this access.
3. Means - “the faith”
4. Basis for boasting in the display of God’s work
III. Joy in tribulation is a result of justification. ( 3)
1. Rejoice in our sufferings.
2. Suffering produces perseverance.
IV. Hope in the midst of testing is a result of justification. ( 4)
1. Perseverance produces character.
2. Character produces hope.
V. God’s continued love is a result of justification. ( 5-8)
1. This hope does not disappoint.
2. Reason - God’s love poured into us
3. Note the condition you were in when God poured His love into us.
4. Contrast human response to God’s.
VI. Security of the believer is a result of justification. ( 9-11)
1. The difficult part has been done; now comes the easy part.
2. We are now reconciled to God!
Last week we covered a large section of this letter (in fact too much for one message). You will remember that chapter 4 is an extended illustration of Abraham as an example of one who was justified by faith and not by works. After laying that foundation, Paul then asks the “so what?” question. In other words what are the results of our justification? The first word of chapter five is “Therefore.” As is often said, “Paul’s “therefores” are there for a reason. “Therefore” is a signal that says that all Paul is about to say is based on what he has already said. Please keep in mind that from here on in the epistle all that is said is said to believers only. The blessings
that we are about see are not for everyone. These are only for true believers in Jesus Christ. The sincere Buddhist, Muslim, Mormon, philosopher, pagan (if such a one exists) are not addressed here and are not recipients of the blessings of God mentioned in Romans. These non-believers in Christ need to hear the words of the evangelist, which I am not. In some ways I am in the same place as Timothy, when Paul wrote to him, ESV 2 Timothy 4:5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul’s message to Timothy was to disciple people and develop the leadership at Ephesus. In the process he was to do the work of an evangelist, though that was not his main ministry. When I explain the basic facts of the faith, I am doing the work of an evangelist. But that is not my basic gift. My gift is teaching. In some ways I am a pediatrician, not an obstetrician.
Chapter five (5) begins, “Therefore, having been justified.” Before we look at some of the specific blessings of justification, let me mention some of the statements Scripture says about justification. 1. We are justified by God (8:33). 2. We are justified by grace (3:24). 3. We are justified by blood (5:9). 4. We are justified by the resurrection (4:25).
5. We are justified by faith (5:1). 6. We are justified by words (Matthew 12:37). 7. We are justified by works (James 2:21).
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If I asked you what is the most sought after thing in the world? What would you say? Is is money? If a man saved $1,000, he then desires to have $10,000. Then he wants $100,000. Then he desires $500,000. Then $1,000,000,000.
Then $10,000,000,000. Soon he has more money than he and his family could possibly spend. His frantic efforts indicate that he is seeking something that money cannot satisfy.
Another man may think that the most sought after thing in the world is power. He seeks local office and when elected, he begins to desire a state office, then a national office. Then he begins to dream about being president. No matter what office he attains, the accompanying power does not really satisfy. As Augustine said, “You made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.”
Even our constitution does not guarantee us life, liberty, and happiness, but simply life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What humans are really seeking is not something that can be found by man. What they are really seeking, even though they do not know it, is peace with God. The Apostle Paul has clearly shown us that the peace we are really seeking is a free gift from God that is received by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before we rush on to look at the next blessing of our justification, we need to pause and examine more closely the word “peace” itself. The authoritative Oxford English Dictionary lists some 15 different uses of the word peace. The first definition describes the relationship between nations and people. Here that peace is: “Freedom from, or cessation of, war or hostilities; that condition of a nation or company in which it is not at war with another.” Additional definitions include peace among individuals: freedom from disturbance that is manifested as tranquility; inner freedom from mental or spiritual disturbance. Dictionary definitions by themselves can lead to misunderstanding. And sometimes that misunderstanding can be cemented in our minds and reinforced by a catchy tune. And even worse, sometimes it promotes false theology. Consider the old hymn by Charles Wesley, “Love divine, all loves excelling.” P. 228 in our hymnal. Look especially at the second stanza. “Let us find that promised rest.” But several hymnals preserve what Wesley originally wrote, “Let us find that second rest.” Is there really any difference? What do you think? Let me suggest that the theology of the editor influences the words we find hymns as well as other writings.
Perhaps, by trying to avoid a second blessing theology, the editor missed a great promise of Scripture that Wesley had in mind. There are two kinds of peace and two kinds of rest. Examine Matthew 11:28-30. “Rest” is used twice. There is a rest that is given and there is a rest that is found. Wesley had come to the first rest, but was seeking to find the second. There are two kinds of peace: The peace of God; and peace with God. What is the difference? Romans 5:1 is focusing on the peace we have with God. Before receiving the peace that God gives, we were at war with Him. Everyone who has not received the peace that God gives is at war with God. The peace that God gives brought hostilities to an end between Him and me. This is not a peace that I can produce.
KJV Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trustees in thee.
ESV Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
By contrast Romans 5:1 is speaking about peace with God. This is the reason that Paul can declare in Romans 8:1 that God has nothing against you because the punishment and hostility that God had toward you was placed on Christ. Since I have received peace with God, I can now live in the certainty that I am His child. Though unworthy in my natural state, I am declared righteous like Christ is righteous. I am an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. I have received eternal life and will never perish. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, born of the Spirit, baptized by the Spirit, sealed by the Spirit. And I have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for me. Because all of this is true, I now experience the peace of God, a peace that goes beyond human understanding.
Victory Day: 17 plus countries around the world each celebrating the end of war or some great battle. VJ Day in US. Only Rhode Island today. Winston Churchill speech on Victory in Europe. Russia (end of Nazism).
Great celebrations: signing of armistice (truce preliminary to signing a peace treaty. Battle of Armageddon: last decisive battle between the forces of good and evil.
It is my prayer that you receive peace with God that you may come to enjoy the peace of God.