Benefits of God’s Acquittal of Sinners

Bible Passage: Romans 5:1-11

I. Introductory remarks:

1. “Therefore” here is an inferential particle, as a result of what preceded, “consequently” (inference of 1:18-3:26)

a. Man’s sinner status is changed due to God’s gracious acquittal of him
b. Man is justified, redeemed
c. Man has Jesus as his “Mercy Seat” through Him God continuously forgives and restores man

2. The particle “therefore” marks the beginning of a new section, which is called “sanctification”
3. For now, let’s skip Rom 3:27-4:25 which is a validation of “justification/acquittal by faith” that we discussed last week

II. God’s acquittal of sinners has immediate and ongoing benefits (5:1-11)

Verse 5: “Therefore, since we have been justified by God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

1. Peace with God (verse 1): “Peace” here is “the absence of hostility that existed between man and God because of man’s sin”—It does not mean inner tranquility

a. We are no longer enemies of God
b. Through Jesus, God has established a new relationship with those who have invited Jesus into their lives
c. When we say that we are no longer God’s enemies, it means God has made us to be His friends—two parties in relatable terms
d. God has brought about reconciliation between Himself and us, former sinners (cf. verse 10 while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son)

i. Reconciliation refers to repairing of relationship (5:10-11)
ii. God offered it; man received it

e. “Because we have been justified by God” is a fact It is a once-and-for-all action (it points to our security of salvation)
f. “By means of faith”

1. Faith here is to believe what God says about Himself and His redemptive activity
ii. Faith here is objective and substantive
iii. It is not generated through positive thinking
iv. It is given by God through the regeneration of those who are elected
v. “We have” is a present reality, which cannot be taken away (the enemy can throw doubts about salvation, etc.)
vi. “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”—Jesus is the agent of reconciliation

2. Access to God (verse 2 we have gained access by faith into this grace)

a. “Access” here is an entry into the sphere of God and His grace
b. The verb conveys that the entry is forever, not a periodic visit—continuance
c. Only those qualified and unblemished could enter the Holy of Holies of the Temple, but …
d. Here, by faith through the grace, unqualified and unmerited now have access

3. Continuous standing before God (verse 2 “in which we stand”)

a. It refers to continuous standing before God, not sporadic/infrequent or occasional
b. Jews and Gentiles together (plural to refer that Paul and all the believers)

4. Boasting/rejoicing in the hope of God’s glory (verse 2)

a. “Boasting” is “to take pride”
b. Not in human accomplishment but in God’s accomplishment
c. Both Jews and non-Jews

5. God has gifted the believers with the gift of the Holy Spirit (verse 5)

a. The Holy Spirit is the means through whom God’s love has been poured into our hearts (verse 5)
b. God Himself demonstrates His love

i. when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (verse 6)
ii. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (verse 8)

6. God has given salvation, i.e., escape from the wrath of God that will happen in the future (verses 9-10)

Takeaway:

Give your life voluntarily for the purpose of bringing pleasure to God (12:1)