God's Amazing Love!

Scripture Text

Romans 5:1-5

Intro: God's amazing love is evident in these verses that are before us today. In His love God gave us His Son to die for us so that we could be in a right standing with Him and enjoy all the blessings and favors He desires to give His children.

I. We have been justified with God by faith in Jesus. Romans 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

a. When we put our faith in Jesus' perfect life, His death on the cross and His resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins, we are justified or placed in a right standing with God.

b. Why is justification necessary?  Justification is necessary because of the sin and disobedience of all mankind since Adam. Man has rebelled against God and taken his life into his own hands. Man lives as he desires, fulfilling the lust of the eyes and of the flesh. He clings to the pride of life and to the things of the world. Man is sinful and ungodly, an enemy of God by choice, pushing God out of his life and wanting little if anything to do with God. We see this in society and at the government level today. The bible says in Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and come short of God’s glory. So for God to allow us to enter His kingdom, we must be justified and Jesus makes it possible.

II. The Results of Justification. [5:1b] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

  1. We have peace with God. The result of our justification through Christ is that we have peace with God. Having peace with God means there is no more hostility between us and God, no sin blocking our relationship with him. A new relationship has been established, so we no longer have to face God's wrath but live in peace with Him through Jesus Christ His Son.

2. We have access into the grace, the favor and the presence of God. Romans 5:2a (NKJV)  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,

a. Not only has Christ made us right with God, but he also has given us personal access to God, bringing us into the place of highest privilege where we now stand. We have been brought into a place of grace and favor with God and we can go right into God's presence thru prayer. We have access to our Father anytime night or day.

3. We have a living hope for the glory of God. (5:2b) and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

a. God’s purpose of recreating us into the image of Christ, is so we can confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing His glory. Anticipating our future with God ought to bring great joy. Because of Christ, we share in God's glory now and fully in the future there in Heaven. We can rejoice in the fact that whatever we are like today, one of the benefits of having been justified is the hope that one day we shall be like Him and see Him as He is.

4. There is glory in tribulation. Having been justified by faith, we can glory in

a.  Tribulations because it produces patience. Romans 5:3 (NKJV) But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
Tribulations mean all kinds of pressure ranging from the day to day pressures to the pressure of confronting the most serious situations, even that of death itself. When we have these kinds of trials and sufferings, know that God is working in these things in order to teach us more patience so that we can endure anything. The Holy Spirit helps us endure all things as He works to conforms us more and more into the image of God's Son Jesus.

b.  Patience produces character. Romans 5:4a (NKJV) and perseverance, character;
As we become more patient thru tribulations, it builds a Christlike character in us. When we endure trials, we come out of it stronger than ever before. We are much stronger in moral character and integrity. Trials help us experience much more of the presence and power of God in every circumstance of life.

c.  Character produces hope (5:4b) and character, hope. The word character includes the idea of “approved as a result of testing.” A person who is approved thru testing is known for his or her inward strength rather than any outward appearances. This gives us hope [confident expectation]

d. Hope never disappoints. Romans 5:5a (NKJV) Now hope does not disappoint, A Christian, truly justified by the blood of Christ, will never be disappointed or shamed. Our confident expectation that God will keep his promises will never disappoint us. We will see our hope in God fulfilled.

(5:5b) Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

This continuing experience of God's love and presence in us is through His indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. He grows and matures us in the love of God, increasing our understanding of what God has done and is doing for us through His wonderful everlasting love.

Invitation: Have you been justified in God's eyes? Do you have peace with God? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive and save you from the penalty of your sins, thereby justifying you and giving you peace with God? If not, the bible says that today is the day of salvation, now is the appointed time. The choice is yours!