June 29, 2022 – Wednesday
Romans 5:1-2 NIV
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Comments
The first verse of chapter five begins with Therefore which refers to the end of chapter four, some of which we discussed yesterday. It ended with 23 The words “it was credited to him [Abraham]” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
That leads us to our verses of the day for today, 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Paul makes it explicit we have been justified through faith because Jesus 4:25 was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
However, it is important to remember even though we have been justified through faith and now we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, this peace was obtained through Jesus in whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And this grace in which we now stand is a gift from God of His unmerited favor. He saw our faith and granted us His favor, His unmerited favor. He offered us this free gift of grace if we would simply believe He would love us so much He would let His Son die for our sins.
Then we read, And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Many translations have rejoice instead of boast. Both come from Strong’s 2744, kauchaomai, and HELPS Word-studies gives us this definition, properly, living with “head up high,” i.e. boasting from a particular vantage point by having the right base of operation to deal successfully with a matter. And then adds this. likely comes from the root, auχēn (“neck”), i.e. what holds the head up high (upright); figuratively, it refers to living with God-given confidence. I like that, living with God-given confidence. It is likely that our living with God-given confidence of our future eternal home in heaven with the glory of God, that most in the secular world cannot grasp because they do not believe. It is our faith in our Lord and Savior that changes everything for us.
After Paul said, And we boast in the hope of the glory of God, he then added, 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. Our hope is from God’s grace, His unmerited favor. We know we did not deserve it, but we know He has given us His favor. As a result, 5hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us, the comforter promised by Jesus
Bottom Line: God has granted us grace if we will but believe. Our faith in Jesus leaves us at peace with our Heavenly Father because Jesus paid the debt for our sin. How can we not have hope as a result, knowing we have been forgiven.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your kindness, long suffering, incredible mercy are beyond description. We can only thank You for loving us beyond our understanding. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek