Saturday
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. . . .
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
(Romans 5:1-5, 9-11, NIV)
In his Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul systematically explains God’s plan of salvation and how all people who believe in Jesus Christ can experience the righteousness of God. In chapter 3, Paul describes how our justification from sin results from “the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (3:24-25). God offers his Son as a “sacrifice of atonement” for us. This freedom from our sins that came as a result of Christ’s sacrifice can be received by faith.
Today’s verses describe the benefits of the righteousness God graciously extends to us. Paul emphasizes that “peace with God” comes from faith and that by faith we gain access to God’s grace. As we read in the passages from the Apostle Paul’s letter three weeks ago, we are reminded of his repeated discussion of the reconciliation we have as believers in Jesus Christ. Our devotional reading today makes the same point: the peace that we experience with God is made available by the grace of God.
Paul repeated the theme that before our conversion we were “God’s enemies” (v. 10), the subject of yesterday’s devotional. Now, however, we have much to celebrate: through Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God. Wholeness now replaces brokenness; adoption as children now supersedes our previous status as enemies. Peace with God is God’s gracious gift to us when we are in a “right relationship” with him.
Prayer
Lord Almighty, giver of “the covenant of life and peace” (Malachi 2:5), we praise you for your love and mercy toward us. We rejoice that through faith in you we have peace by your grace. Thank you for overcoming our alienation and restoring us. Amen.