Thus far in Romans, Paul has spent considerable time detailing man’s need for salvation. Man is a sinner, and he abides under the wrath of God. Nothing associated with religion, works, the Law, or rituals can ever provide salvation to humanity. We are totally dependent upon justification by faith to bring us into the right relationship with the Lord.
It all comes down to realizing that it is not what we do that makes the difference in saving our souls. It is all about trusting in the one who can save us. With this truth firmly nailed down, Paul now discusses the doctrine of salvation.
Justification by faith: Our position as believers
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:1
Notice what this verse says about our position. Paul says that we who have believed have been justified by faith. This is a word that many do not fully understand.
Justified means to count someone righteous. To reckon, to account, judge, treat, or look upon as righteous. Justification by faith means God declared us righteous even though we are guilty of committing sins. This happens because the Lord Jesus Christ paid for our sins when He died on the cross.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
To illustrate our justification by faith, imagine a man on trial for murder. The prosecution knows he is guilty, the defendant knows he is guilty, and everyone knows he is guilty, but the judge declares him not guilty. Even though nearly everyone in that courtroom knows the man is guilty of murder, he is treated like an innocent person because he has been declared innocent.
When I stand before the Lord, I know I am guilty. The devil knows I am guilty, and God knows I am guilty. However, because I have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior, God treats me as though I am innocent because He has justified me.
How did we obtain justification? By faith. We didn’t earn or deserve it; all we did was trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior.
I am grateful that salvation is the product of faith alone. If it relied on my ability to perform, I would be lost. I would be lost if it required me to keep a list of rules perfectly. I would be lost if it required me to be a good person. Thank God, it is all by faith.
Justification by faith: Our possession as believers
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:1
Also, in these verses, Paul lists some of the benefits of justification by faith. Because we are considered righteous by God, certain things belong to us. These possessions are precious and should never be taken for granted, but we should meditate on them and allow them to be the reason for rejoicing in the Lord.
We possess acceptance.
According to Paul, justification by faith brings with it peace with God. You see, every lost person is the enemy of God. But, when that lost person turns to Jesus Christ by faith, God declares an end to the hostilities.
God declares peace. He then brings that person into the right relationship with Himself. When a person trusts the Lord Jesus Christ as savior by faith, that person enjoys immediate peace with God. What does this mean? God’s wrath is turned away.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:9
People usually say we must make peace with God before we die. However, this does not apply to us because God made peace with us when we trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior.
We possess access.
This verse teaches us that through Jesus Christ, we have direct access to God Himself. Through Jesus, we have the right to enter the very presence of the God of Heaven without fear. We have access to the Heavenly Father through Christ as a result of justification by faith.
Most of Paul’s readers came from a religious background that demanded that a respectful distance be maintained between the worshiper and God.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2
Think for a minute about the Temple. Gentiles were restricted to the outer court of the Temple. If they went any further in, there would be consequences. Women were restricted to “The Court of Women.” Then, there was the “Holy Place.” Where only the priests could minister.
Beyond this, there was the “Holy of Holies.” Only the High Priest was permitted to enter this room, and then only once per year on the Day of Atonement, and he could not enter without the blood of an innocent sacrifice.
Paul’s message about justification by faith is that through Jesus, we have full access to the Father in Heaven.
We possess assurance.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2
Justification by faith not only brings peace with God and access to God’s presence, but the believer also enjoys assurance of salvation. Notice the phrase, “grace wherein we now stand.” The word “stand” carries the idea of permanence, firmly fixed and immovable.
This verse teaches us that we are secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, this verse is all about our eternal security as believers.
Many use the believer’s eternal security as a license to sin. However, the person who lives such a life neither understands eternal security nor salvation. Our security in Christ leads believers to live clean, holy lives.
It is our gratitude to the one who paid the ultimate price to provide salvation in the first place. According to verse one, we are saved or justified by faith. Verse two says that we “stand” by grace.
To say that we are saved by trusting Jesus, and then, after that, we must keep ourselves saved, is a total contradiction. If I can keep myself saved, why don’t I just go ahead and do the whole job? The answer? I can’t do either! I was saved by grace, and I am kept by grace.
Justification by faith: Our privileges as believers
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3-5
We are saved and secure but live in a world of trials and tribulations. We need help in these areas as well. Notice some great privileges from our justification by faith in Jesus Christ.
The ability to rejoice in trouble.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 5:3
Paul says that Christians can rejoice in the bad times of life. Why is this true? Because of the word “knowing.” When the trials of life descend, the mature believer knows that God is working out His will in our lives and is attempting to produce in us a state of Christlikeness. We can rejoice in trouble if we remember that every trial is a blessing from the very hand of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
The ability to recognize our troubles.
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3-5
In this section, Paul explains the advantages of facing challenges in life. Essentially, Paul suggests that when we encounter difficulties, we develop the ability to persevere, and this endurance helps us grow and become more resilient.
As we witness God’s support during tough times, we can trust that He guides us and will help us overcome any obstacles. In short, the more we endure hardships for the sake of Jesus, the more we resemble Him.
The ability to rest in our troubles.
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:5
If life is difficult and there is trouble in my life, how can I rejoice, and how can I rest? The answer lies in this verse. Paul tells us that the love of God is constantly being poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. When we were saved, God placed His Spirit into us. The Holy Spirit is like a channel that streams God’s great love into our hearts.
These are the benefits of our justification by faith.
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