Easter / Passover – Week 15 / April 9th

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
being justified freely by His grace through the redem-
ption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 23-24

mt_olives_resizedThe Book of Romans defends the thesis that humankind is put right with God, not by works of the Law or good works but by exercising faith in what Jesus did on the cross. Those who do this are declared righteous and, being reconciled to God, they are made righteous by the power of His life in them. So faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross imputes righteousness to us and, over time, imparts righteousness to us! This is what it means to be a Christian or Christ follower.

In Romans five the Apostle Paul sets out what we enjoy because of our living faith in Jesus. We should note the following and ensure that we are walking in these realities.

1.    We have peace with God
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God….” (V1)
A sinner is not simply one who does not believe in God. No, a sinner is a rebel and an enemy of God deserving God’s eternal wrath and expulsion from His presence. Those who do not know God do not have His peace and this fact is stamped upon their consciences every day. This is called guilt! Only Jesus can free us from this and give us peace with God. The cross was the price that God paid to bring us into harmony with Himself. Do you have peace with God?

2.    We have access to God’s throne
“…..through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand..” (V2)
The wonderful truth about Easter or Passover is that God has passed over our sins and has declared us absolutely righteous. We can thus continually stand in His very presence because our sins are completely covered from His sight. This means we do not fear condemnation and we can actually come boldly before Him because He wants us to and He loves us! What a joy and what a privilege. Prayer is the mechanism by which we “camp” at God’s throne! Is this true of you?

3.    We have much joy
“…. And rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (V2)
A true Christian is a joyful person because the great question of life has been solved and he or she has a personal knowledge and relationship with the God of the universe. Our lives take on purpose and we live in the expectation of one day being fully transformed into the image of Jesus. This we call the glory of God. What a future we have and indeed in the present we know and walk with Jesus our friend. Joy is the only response that wells up within us, or does it? This joy undergirds us in our trials and struggles because by these we are conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Paul writes that “we glory in tribulations” because they produce perseverance, character and hope. (V3-4)

4.    We have the Holy Spirit
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (V5)
The true believer in Jesus is not affected by tribulations and trials because he or she has received something real. In fact the believer in Jesus has received, by the infilling of the Spirit, a deposit or down-payment of the future. The Bible calls this anointing of the Holy Spirit the “powers of the age to come.” (Hebrews 6:5) We are enveloped with a little bit of Heaven and therefore because the “little bit” is so good we are undeterred by trials and troubles and have a hope that is sure. The truth is; we just can’t wait for the fullness! We are a blessed people indeed! Are you filled with the Holy Spirit and therefore with a little bit of the future?

May you have great joy as you meditate on these truths and as you call to mind afresh, at this time of the year, the great things that God has done for you.

In His love,
Malcolm Hedding.

©Malcolm Hedding Ministries

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