Romans 5
So I was translating Romans 5:1-11 (I only got to v.5 because I got the great idea to start this blog) and just saw some incredible things jump off the page that I had to write it down. You see, lately the Lord has been showing me a lot about condemnation (and how much of it I do to myself) and what God’s grace really looks like. Well, these few verses bring this home in a major way. Take just v.1-2:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (ESV)
To be justified means we are made right with God (he no longer sees our sin) and he does this by the faith he works in us. And it’s by our faith, not our works, that we can come to God and obtain peace! And greater still, it is by this faith that we obtain his amazing grace through which we are enabled to rejoice in the hope we have in our Heavenly Father! I’m also in the process of reading John Piper’s Faith in Future Grace that talks directly about this. It is our hope in God’s future promise of grace that should motivate us to leave our sin behind and chase after Him with all our hearts! And here’s what kills this constant condemning of myself: God’s grace is given to us not because of anything I do, but just because of who I am! I am one of God’s children and he longs to give me the greatest gifts in the world, and in return, I long to give Him all the praise and glory my little heart can muster.
So next time you decide to condemn yourself and think you can never do any better, remember these verses and seek God’s forgiveness, realize you have been forgiven, seek the peace He will give you and praise Him for it!