I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore, I will call on him as long as I live. [1]
The Blessings of Justification
Romans 5:1-8 NRSV
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.[2]
Warren Wiersbe
Keep in mind that justification is God’s declaration that the believing sinner is righteous in Christ. It is righteousness imputed, put to our account. Sanctification is righteousness imparted, worked out in and through our lives by the Spirit. Justification is our standing before God; sanctification is our state here on earth before others. Justification never changes; sanctification does. Note the blessings we have in justification:
We have peace
There was a time when we were enemies; but now in Christ we have peace with God. Peace with God means that our problem with sin has been settled by the blood of Christ. God is our Father, not our Judge.
We have access to God
Before our salvation, we stood “in Adam” and were condemned; but now in Christ, we have a perfect standing before God and can enter into His presence.
We have hope
Literally, “We boast in the hope of the glory of God.” The unsaved person is “without hope.” We cannot boast in good works that bring salvation, but we can boast in the wonderful salvation God has given us in Christ.
We have daily confidence
The true Christian not only has a hope for the future, but he has confidence in the present trials of life. The “formula” looks like this: testing plus Christ equals patience; patience plus Christ equals character [experience]; experience plus Christ equals hope. Note that we do not glory over trials, or about trials, but in trials.
We experience the love of God
The Spirit within sheds God’s love to us and through us. God revealed His love at the cross when Christ died for those who were “without strength,” who were “ungodly,” “sinners,” and “enemies,” thus proving His great love. Paul’s argument is this: if God did all that for us while we were His enemies, how much more will He do for us now that we are His children![3]
The Heidelberg Catechism
Question #60
How are you righteous before God?
Only be a true faith in Jesus Christ; that is, though my conscience accuse me that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil, yet God, without any merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me; if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.
Question #61
Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?
Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God, and I can receive the same and make it my own in no other way than by faith only.[4]
O Lord, from whom all good proceeds: Grant us the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may always think those things that are good, and by your merciful guidance may accomplish the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[5]
How Great is the Greatness of God
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.[6]
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Ps 116:1–2.
[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Ro 5:1–8.
[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 375–376.
[4] G. I. Williamson, The Heidelberg Catechism: A Study Guide, 1993, Puritan and Reformed Publishing, p. 106.
[5] Collect for Proper 6, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 616.
[6] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Eph 3:20–21.
