"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" Romans 5v1-2.
In understanding the riches of these chapters 5,6,7,&8 of Romans we need to become familiar with the terms used, and also keep one eye on the overall context, which is the certainty of the gospel and the assurance resulting for all believers.
The word "therefore" suggests a deduction from what has gone before. Justification is by faith alone, not by any human merit whatsoever; that faith being in the foundational historic events of the death and resurrection of Christ. God declares that on this basis alone, people who were, hitherto under His condemnation, can now be made right with Himself. Justification is a forensic term which means a legal change in our status with God. The only people who can alter a legal declaration by a judge are those who are above the judge in status; since there is no one higher than God, the declaration can never be altered or superceded. Thus the note of certainty is struck from the outset.
Furthermore, the aorist participle is used, indicating an act which took place at one point in time with permanent results. Justification is not a process, as many erroneously teach and believe, it is an instantaneous act which is irreversible by the highest authority in the universe, hence the constant usage of "imputation". A right standing with God is not attained, it is granted. The declaration by God in justification can be said to be instantaneous, complete, and eternal. "Therefore HAVING BEEN, ONCE AND FOR ALL justified by faith.........." would be the better rendering. God's salvation requires no human embellishment, it is perfect, just like Himself!
I have listed 9 separate blessings, which follow, and each one must be considered. In verses 1-2 we have the first three of these and they form an interesting triplet:
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Justification eradicates PAST GUILT we have peace with God.
Justification introduces PRESENT GRACE we have access to God.
Justification guarantees FUTURE GLORY we rejoice in certain hope.
There is an important observation to be made in these opening verses, and this underlines the overall message of these chapters. Justification leads to glorification! This chapter is all about certainty, and early on we are told that all who are justified will be glorified. The very moment God declares me righteous, I am fit for heaven! Paul says the same thing in chapter 8 when he describes the mechanics of salvation "foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, glorified". He moves from "justified" straight to "glorified".......nothing in between! Anyone declared right with God is immediately fit for heaven.
There are many illustrations of this elsewhere in scripture, but the one best known to most of us would be the story of the malefactor who was crucified next to Jesus. Jesus said to him "today thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Obviously, Jesus is speaking of glorification, but to whom is he saying these words? this man, on the very point of death was told he would be in heaven that very day. On what basis? On the basis of his realisation of just who was beside him, and why He was there. It certainly had nothing to do with his good life, or his religious connections, it was simply on the basis of deep rooted belief in the work of Jesus Christ and that man who lived his entire life in sin is today in heaven. Justification leads to glorification, and this is the message of the whole epistle. Those who are justified will be glorified, and live in the sure prospect of the glory of God.
Tomorrow d.v. we shall consider the first of the blessings "peace with God."
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