ROMANS 5:1. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” THROUGH HIM. We have peace, v.1 The war is over, the papers are signed, the tension is over, the distance is bridged – “He made peace through the blood of His cross.” The enmity that we had against God is gone now, and instead of guilt, there is peace. Usually the first effect of justification is peace – peace with God. The soul is calmed, the conscience is cleared, the mind is cleansed. The new believer senses a conscious relief, and often will let out a sigh as the fact of being accepted by God becomes real.
We have access, v.2 The distance between us and God is gone. A sense of nearness and affection comes alive in the new creation. A freshness of appreciation of the Person and work of Christ returns again and again as we consider Him. We draw near to God with assurance and yet awe. We recognize His holiness and at the same time we know we are welcomed. Our inner thoughts are directed toward Him who has redeemed us and our smile of joy is directed towards Him who welcomes us as His children.
We have salvation from wrath, v.9 The terrors of a broken law and of a righteous God are gone. We know they are still in place but no longer are we afraid, for “Christ died for the ungodly… Christ died for us.” The condemnation looking back because we were ungodly in conduct; has been removed with the knowledge of the price paid in full. The concern because of the fact of being a sinner in our condition no longer makes the conscience guilty. The claim of forgiveness is not unfounded as we are no longer enemies in our character.
We have been reconciled, v.11 Through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ we have received the atonement (reconciliation) that we so greatly needed. The act of reconciliation is a fact because “He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” All barriers have been removed and we have access to God by the grace wherein we stand.
We are rejoicing, v.11 Our constant source of joy is our God. We see evidence of our acceptance on every hand as we remember, “we are accepted in the Beloved.” What a thrill the name and Person of our Lord Jesus Christ gives to us. We love Him and we are loved by Him. There is a mutual sense of rejoicing as we joy in God.
“What wonderful and bounteous blessings have come to me Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ. I am so satisfied with Thee, Lord Jesus. I just want to praise and thank Thee now, for all I have in Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”