Audrey Bauman

Romans 5: 1 – 2    (NLT)

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

In the first chapters in Romans, Paul focused on our sinful nature. There is nothing we can do to earn God's acceptance and favour. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." (Romans 3: 23) That verse sums it all up. In chapter 4, Paul stresses that it is our faith in God, in Jesus' death and resurrection that makes us acceptable to God. It's not something we have to do to earn God's love.

Now, Paul begins the positive declaration of what faith in Jesus brings.

"We have been made right in God's sight by faith". I can’t emphasize enough what that really means when you let it soak into your heart and soul. I’ve met so many people who profess a belief in Jesus who struggle with guilt and shame. We are human and we mess things up.  It’s our basic nature.  But when we really understand God’s incredible forgiveness, it makes such a difference. When by faith I accept what He has done for me, God sees someone who is perfect. "right in God's sight". 

"We have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us". We have peace with God!!! Have you ever experienced a relationship that became rather difficult because one or both of the people did something not okay? You realize you need to talk to that person and make things right again, and your stomach churns as you face that person. Can you really solve the problem? Will things get better - or worse? "We have peace with God". Do we need to go and ask forgiveness when we realize we've done something wrong? Yes. But we don't have to be afraid that God won't forgive. "We have peace with God".

"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand". No, we don't deserve God's love. We haven't done something so wonderful that God is happy to accept and love us. But ... we now standin this place of privilege. We are in God's family! That word 'stand' is interesting. I've been going for physiotherapy for my back that's been deteriorating somewhat, and standing for very long is rather painful. I've been doing exercises to strengthen those back muscles, and I can stand now for a few minutes without a lot of pain. Before God, I can stand knowing I am loved and accepted. I can stand with my back straight and strong. 

"We confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” Confidently! Joyfully! Say those words again and again. Jesus paid the price for my sin. I can look forward to the day when I see Him face to face. I am accepted by God!

Our song for today is How Deep the Father's Love for Us by Selah.