Tuesday, February 19, 2013

EPISTLE: Romans 5:1-11

Reading: 

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. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Commentary: 

This text is a perfect summary of our faith. We are justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and with this justification we have peace with God. Being secure in His grace, we rejoice "in the hope of the glory of God." God's glory is our salvation, and our hope is in the world to come, which cannot perish or fade away. All our trials and tribulations then here on earth, work only to our glory. Therefore we glory in tribulation, by which we learn patience, then experience and hope. Since Christ is our hope, we are not ashamed to confess His saving name before men, even if they persecute us to death, "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Our perpetual comfort is "in due time Christ died for the ungodly". Hence, "being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." What more needs to be said? We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!

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