The Blessings of Justification and the basis of Justification (chap.5)
Martin Luther said: “In the whole Bible there is hardly another chapter which can equal this triumphant text.” To justify is to declare that one is righteous and to make one right with God. Justification is simply God’s declaration to those who receive Christ and Christ’s righteousness which is possible through His shed blood and we have imputed His righteousness.
Paul spoke about righteousness and Salvation is by justification in the preceding 4-chapters. The chapter begins with “therefore” which indicates the whole lot of things said earlier.
The blessings of justification: (5:1-11):
Justification is a legal term before the courts of law. Man is found guilty (1:18-3:20) in the court of God’s law, but the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ paved the way for the salvation. The only way of salvation is that we are justified by grace through faith. Paul gives several benefits of justification by faith:
- Believer has peace with God: (5:1b): Because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Calvary, our relationship with God is re-established. We have peace with God. Once we were the enemies of God, we were by nature the objects of wrath (Eph.2:3), now we are at peace with God. When we are at peace with God, He gives His peace, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:7).
- The believer has access to God: (5:2a): We now stand in a place of highest privilege, not only that God has declared us not guilty, we are drawn closer to Him. Though once we were enemies, but now we are with Him. We have gained access into His grace. Grace is undeserved favour. Gained access into His grace means:
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- I don’t have to prove I am worthy of God’s love because God is my friend.
- The door of access is permanently open to me. Christ Jesus has settled my sin score sheet.
- My access to God is to remain with him, to be his household and by faith, I can behold His face, and walk in the light of his countenance.” (Clarke).
- I spend more time praising God and less time hating myself.
- To expect to be blessed, even in the midst of suffering.
- I testify God’s goodness, even in times of hostility.
- I treat God’s discipline as a mark of His kindness.
- I am experiencing the burden of Gospel even when we have no physical burdens or liabilities. (thought taken from David Zuzik’s – blue letter Bible)
- Rejoice in the hope of glory of God: (5:2b):
The unsaved person is without hope, but a believer has hope and he would boast in the Lord. (5:1,2) gives a continuous meaning:
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- Peace with God takes care of the past: He will no longer hold our sins against us.
- Access to God takes care of the present: we can come to Him at any time for the help we need.
- Hope of the glory of God takes care of the future: When Jesus comes, we can joyfully meet Him and share His glory.
- The believer has assurance from God: (5:3-4): Believers are guaranteed with peace, access and hope. But they are also guaranteed of suffering. Every believer certainly faces certain amount of suffering depending on how much he can withstand or depend upon God. Suffering and persecutions are God’s tests to make us strong. That’s why James in his letter “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). The suffering in the lives of believers bring perseverance, perseverance brings character and character brings hope:
a) Perseverance is the steadfastness or the ability to remain under difficult conditions without yielding to it (Jam.1:3-4). A believer who has faced the distress can only develop steadfastness.
b) Character is the proven behaviour of a believer. A believer behaves same even under the extreme conditions.
c) Hope is the confidence a believer has in God.