Where Do You Make Your Stand? Romans 5

 

Faith Brings Joy

5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Whenever we see the word "therefore", we should always be ready for what comes next. In this case Paul tells us that because we have had our relationship with God restored, we can have peace.  One cannot overstate what this means.  Most people think of peace as an absence of conflict.  But "peace with God" means that we don't need to be afraid of God, but can confidently come into His presence because of what Jesus has done for us. In addition, Jesus us has brought us into a place where we can stand confidently and joyfully realizing what God has promised us.  We often hear the phrase, "what do you stand for", or "when will you make a stand", but in this verse we realize we can stand in a place of privilege as God's son or daughter.  We did not deserve this place of honor, but it has been given to us.  This should be the source of confidence for who we are and what we do. We are heirs of everything which is God's.  

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Not only do we have joy in the privileges we have as a believer in Christ, but we can even rejoice when bad things happen to us.  Why?  Because even the trials we face strengthen our faith and cause us to trust in God in deeper ways.  Our character is molded and shaped when we have nothing to hold on but Jesus.  As Jesus provides for us and helps us through suffering through the power of the Holy Spirit, we see God's love in a more intimate way.  It is sort of like when you go through a time of suffering with a good friend or family member.  As they support and love you through the process the relationship and trust deepens.  Trials also remind us of the Holy Spirit's presence.  Though on the outside we may tremble and fear, the Holy Spirit is on the inside constantly renewing us and reminding us of our citizenship in heaven. 

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Verses 6 through 8 are a fantastic summary of the gospel.  When we reached the bottom of living a life ruled by sin and rebellion against God, God sent Jesus to pull us out of the muddy pit.  It was like we were in quicksand. The harder we tried to save ourselves, the more we realized our utter helplessness. But at just the right time God sent Jesus to save us.  And if we are ever doubtful of the full extent of God's love for us think about this.  Rarely would a person die for a good person, though if the person was extraordinary perhaps they would.  But God "proved" his great love for us when we were stuck in rebellion and sin and had rejected his overtures to save us, He sent His own son to die for us.  He required nothing us except accepting this free gift of grace.  God loves us more than we could ever know.  He wants to be in a relationship with us and has done everything possible to bring back into His arms of love.  The only question is will we respond to this great offer in faith. 

How does having a relationship with God give you peace? Maybe another way to look at it would be to think of the things in your life that steal your peace and how being God's close friend can give you a peace that passes all understanding?  Paul tells us that our trials build character. Think about a trial you are going through.  How is it molding your character and causing you to trust God in a deeper way?  Finally, consider how God has proved his love to you by sending Jesus.  If you have trouble realizing God's unconditional love for you think about the depth of love it took God to send His only Son Jesus to die for you even when you were stuck in sin.  This is the unconditional love we all long for and God has given it to us!