I have not written for awhile now, for my time varies in busyness and then busy relaxing. However, I have found a short few minutes to write. Through my weekly reading through first Romans-Philemon and then the rest of the NT writings, Romans as well as all of Gods Word has become dear to my heart. In Romans Paul explains the power of the gospel. The first part of the gospel is the wrath of God and that everyone is deserving. Paul then explains the gospel and how it is redemptive, a propitiation, and serves as justification. Paul explains the Cross no longer as bad news as Peter did in early Acts, but as good news and power. He explains it as a gift to be received by faith. After this Paul goes into detail about faith alone and Abraham. By the end of chapter 4 we understand Christ died for our sins was buried and rose again.
Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
God raised Christ from the dead for our justification, to declare those who believe righteous. That is, Christ's righteousness is credited to our account. By the time one gets to Romans 5 one has been taught the preaching of the Cross, the gospel of God's grace, and how one is to receive God's gift. It is through faith one is justified.
Romans 5 starts out by teaching now what the Spirit has done and what God has given to that justified person. It is this reason why I write.
Romans 5:1-2, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Paul lists 3 things here in the first two verses of chapter five. 1)We have peace with God, 2)We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, 3)Rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
First, notice the words in verse one before Paul's list. "Therefore being justified by faith", notice the "ed" at the end of "justified". It is past tense, it is a state of "being". One who believes the Cross work of Christ is justified. They have a standing before God not with any righteousness they have done, but of Christ's righteousness. It is done. It is a standing that never changes because it is solely based upon Christ. In fact, Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." I quote this because as sure as Christ lives forever so is your state of being as justified, because Christ maketh intercession for you based upon the Cross and it is Christ's perfect faith on the Cross that justifies a believer. The three things Paul lists are results of "therefore being justified by faith". Before I use the rest of this blog to touch on the first of the list, I quickly want to note something. In this chapter and these verses no hint of perseverance to the end in order to be saved is mentioned. Under grace the believer is given everything right up front. This is opposite of Jews in time past and in the future, for they have to hold fast until the end.
"But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Heb. 3:14
"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:" Heb. 6:11
"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1 Pet. 1:9
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, e sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
1 Pet. 1:13
Jews in early Acts and in the future will have to believe until Christ returns during His second advent, or else they will not receive the grace of God. They receive the end of their faith which is their salvation. This all changed with the raising up of the Apostle Paul. We today, however, receive the gift of grace first the moment we believe.
"That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ." Eph. 1:12
"Therefore being justified by faith", one has as their standing and in their possession numerous spiritual blessings. The first mentioned in Romans 1 is, "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
"We have peace with God", the two parties mentioned are the "justified by faith" and "God". The spiritual blessing is "peace with God". This is a drastic change from what Paul says in Romans 3:19, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Everyone is guilty, but if one believes the gospel, that is, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, one is justified by faith and has as their present possession "peace with God". What a fantastic spiritual blessing to have? One that not only works in your heart and soul, but affects your mind and life. What does it mean to have peace with God? It means the wrath written about in chapters 1-3, your wage of sin (Rom. 6:23) has been settled. It is because of Christ payment of your sin debt (redemption) that God not only declares you righteous, but now looks upon you in peace. It is not that God has given you righteousness, but think that it is unfair. Now God because of Christ not only looks on you with peace, but "we have peace with God". Relationship is now welcomed through Christ and much more. God through the work of Christ has provided reconciliation, that is, to restore fellowship with His human creation. He has provided this by the Cross, but those who believe "have" it, we have restored relationship with Christ. Praise God.
"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." Eph. 2:15-17
The first "making peace" mentioned in this passage is between Jew and Gentile, but then Paul speaks about "reconcile both unto God" and "having slain the enmity thereby" that is, "by the cross". Then God sent Paul to preach "peace" to the Jew and Gentile. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:1, "peace" was achieved for us on the cross, preached to us through the gospel, and for those that receive it by faith, HAVE IT!!!
As I end I will mention that I will write again on this chapter and especially Paul's list. The first result, yea rather spiritual blessing one "has" after by faith receiving the gospel of grace, the first blessing one pulls out of that gift, is "peace with God". What a glorious blessing to attain and have, not by any works we have done, but solely on Christ. It is to have restored relationship and fellowship with God Almighty the possessor of heaven and earth and that in kindness, love, and grace, because it is Christ that satisfies God the Father. It is Christ, "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood", God is true to His Word. May you "therefore being justified by faith" take hold of your spiritual blessing in Christ, to "have peace with God" and let that peace rule your mind and heart. It is peace you have, not insecurity, a sense of condemnation, but "peace". May you not "stand fast" in order to get peace, but "stand fast" in it because you "have" it.
Look Up,
Josh Strelecki
3 comments:
The blessing and gift of "peace with God" is the most important to me as I struggle with a personality disorder. Just to know WHO I am IN Christ makes all the difference in the world in my outlook on life, and my identity as a child of God! The world wants to put labels on you, and categorize you, which isolates and degrades you as a human being, but not Christ! We are "Holy and without blame before God in love, through Christ, being adopted Children! Accepted in Christ!!
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1)
You said..."God through the work of Christ has provided reconciliation, that is, to restore fellowship with His human creation. He has provided this by the Cross, but those who believe "have" it, we have restored relationship with Christ. Praise God."
That is so important for my understanding as I struggle to restore personal on-line relationships I have damaged through lies and misinformation about myself, as I try and work through issues of wanting to be accepted for the real me, not someone inter sexed, and an outcast of society. You don't really know who you are when your born male and female. It segregates you from almost everyone, and you feel like your a genetic freak. I question whether I should have ever been born.... that is until I have seen myself as Christ sees me!! A child of God with worth and value!!
Praise God for His never ending love and acceptance through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!!
Maranatha!
Jessica Miller
Hey Jessica,
Thanks for sharing your testimony of how God's Word and your identity and Christ has worked in you in your tough situation. We all have are issues Jessica and your not alone. Praise God for His grace in that you have found identity and comfort in it. I pray that others would understanding God's grace and would come alongside you in not only this aspect of your life, but in all aspects of life. I praise God for His word that works effectually in us. Know that you are accepted in the beloved and if no one else accepts you and helps through this issue. I believe our identity in Christ frees us and I believe that your identity in Him will comfort and relax you so that you may know for sure what gender you were born. I believe God's grace is not only that powerful, but also will help you to flourish in that gender when you find out for sure. The truth is we are all genetic freaks, we all have a sin nature in need of not only a genetic makeover, but a whole knew identity and it seems Jessica you have realized that identity, which is far greater. May you as you struggle with this in this "present evil world" continue to "set your affection on things above" where your life which is hid in Christ in God is. God Bless Jessica
Joshua Strelecki
Thank you so much for your reply Joshua! Yeeees! Praise God for His eternal mercy and Grace (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)! I'm so excited. I'm learning so much from Pastor Ron's messages. I'm learning more and more about who I am in Christ , and what God wants for my life (Romans 8:28-39)! Thank you for your kind words and prayers. I too hope and pray everyone possible will see the Grace of God "rightly divided" (2 Timothy 2:15), through our Apostle Paul (Romans 11:13). Amen! God's Word is alive, and works in us (1 Thessalonians 2:13) so well. Acceptance for someone in my situation is really important, when society in general rejects you out of hand. I'm accepted in Christ! It's so amazing to be IN Him, having not my own rightousness, but Christ's alone (Romans 3:19-26)!! It's really mind twisting in that I've always known "for sure" who I was growing up (female), but my body seems to feel like I'm someone else physically too. That might sound goofy! lol When I look in the mirror I see part of me, and someone else too! Since I am partially male and female, I feel like I was supposed to have had a twin, but my other half (twin) is still within me in a strange sort of way. I guess my genetics is a factor in why I feel the way I do about stuff. The Twilight Zone is the best way to describe my reality. :-)
Thanks alot for your words of encouragement to keep looking up! That's the only place I can look. If I keep my eyes on my physical situation, then I just want to die (!), but If I keep my eyes on Christ, then I want to live and serve Him, and share God's love with everyone I possibly can!! God bless you Joshua! Thank you for understanding, and showing me love!! I'm blessed to have you as a friend in Christ! Praise God!!
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