Romans 5: 1-11 – Response

RC Sproul has rightly stated that “Justification by faith alone” is the article of faith in which the Protestant church either stands or falls.

Pastor Greg, in this week’s sermon, correctly asks the question “So, what’s next?” I can almost see the Apostle Paul saying “Much, in every way!”

Pastor Greg describes many blessings (or benefits) once we have been declared justified by our Heavenly Father, as we hold tightly to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Those blessings are grace, peace and hope (just to name a few). In an effort to expand those “benefits”, we receive constant grace in Jesus Christ, unmatched peace as we are reconciled to God (through the Person and Work of Jesus Christ) and we have the “hope of glory”; as Jesus was raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of God the Father, so too will we be raised from death to eternal life.

As I reflected on this passage in Romans 5: 1-11 and Pastor Greg’s sermon, I was struck by one question: Does it matter to me that these blessings (or benefits) are mine, in Jesus Christ? Does it really matter? In the interest of full disclosure; some days it does, some days it doesn’t. There are days during the week that parenting is really tough. Work is difficult. Responsibilities are far reaching and demand a lot of time and energy. Prayer needs to happen. Reading the Word of God needs to be a priority. I need to sleep, eat and spend time with my loved ones.

Do you see a pattern? Do you feel like this sometimes? All the time? We can’t do anything apart from the constant and overarching grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can live our lives knowing that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. If you are found in Christ, your sins are forgiven. Guilt is gone. You are reckoned righteous in Christ, because Jesus absorbed the wrath of God on your behalf. And if that isn’t enough, we have the hope of Glory; that someday we will stand face to face with our Heavenly Father and be found faultless. Not because we have done anything to deserve grace, but because God didn’t just stop at justification. He has blessed us beyond anything we could ever imagine.

This week, reflect on these and all the blessings God has graciously given His children.

And praise Him with me.

~Russ Queen