Romans 5:1-11

Romans 5 serves to move us from justification by faith whereby we are counted righteous by God, to sanctification, the process by which one grows in day-to-day righteousness in this life on earth.

We see this in the opening words: therefore, having been justified by faith.  In 1:18-3:20 we have seen that we are sinners.  In 3:21-4:25 we have seen the provision of Christ and the faith by which we enter into this righteous standing.  Through Christ we have been given access to grace whereby God declares the sinner righteous.  Thus we have a hope that we will someday bear the glory of God, the very thing He had in mind when He created us in His image (Gen. 1:26-27).

This hope produces joy that replaces the enmity or estrangement that previously existed in our relationship with God.  Because we have been justified by faith we now have peace with God (v1).  We have been reconciled (v10-11).  This relationship with God tells us that having counted us righteous He will restore us to His likeness.  We now see God as for us.

This relationship not only gives confidence of future glory; it also helps us to make sense out of our current situation so that we can rejoice now.  This life is characterized by tribulation or difficulties.  God does not remove these for His justified ones.  But instead, being at peace with God, we now see that these troubles serve God’s purpose (v3-4).  We learn to persevere.  We don’t need to quit or walk away from trials.  We don’t need to get angry or despondent.  These trials produce character or the very likeness to God we are destined for.  And thus, in our trials, we have hope.  We anticipate the time when we will be free of trials and fully in His image.

But can we truly depend on this hope of future glory?  Yes, we can!  We are confident because of the reconciliation, the peace-relationship we have with God.  As v5 says: this confidence is based on God’s love for us, poured out in our hearts when He gave us His Spirit.  In other places Paul referred to the Holy Spirit as God’s seal or guarantee that God’s work begun in justification will be completed in glory (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14).  That is what He is saying here.

In our passage (v6-10) this confidence is explained.  In v6-8 we are reminded of the most wonderful truth: Christ died for us while we were sinners.  This is unheard of in this world where people only rarely will die for good men.  But look at God’s love!  God provided for those who were His enemies.

This being the case we can then conclude that God will also save the justified believer from the coming wrath (v9) promised to sinners previously (2:5-11).  Further, being reconciled by Christ’s death, Paul concludes we will be saved by His life (v10).  And thus our rejoicing is in God who has brought all this about through Christ (v11).

What it means to be saved by His life will be made clear in Ch. 6.  For now notice the transition.  We have moved from our standing before God by justification to the realization that our faith also effects our present life.  The salvation and righteousness promised in Rom. 1:16-17 is not only for our future; it is to be a present experience as well (cf. Psalm 73:23-24).

Is your present, difficult life characterized by joy?  Meditate on God’s amazing love.