A Word from Romans 5

Have you ever been part of a rewards program? You know: buy enough sandwiches, and you get one free. Fly enough miles, and you get access to the airport lounge. And obviously, it’s nice to get a few perks. But what if the best perk comes to us – not as the result of something we do – but purely as a gift? And what if it gives us access to something way better than a fancy lounge?

Well,  in today’s word from Romans 5, Paul describes the perk I’m talking about like this: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” (5:1-2) You see, just by trusting Him, God gives us access to “the wide open spaces of His grace and glory” (v. 2 in The Message) and into the certainty that all of His plans for us will be fulfilled! We know that what’s broken will be mended, and what’s wounded will be restored.

And please understand, that isn’t just a promise for the future! As Paul goes on to say, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope,” Paul says, “will never lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (vs. 3-5, The Message)

So today, let’s remember “this grace in which we now stand.” And because we know that we’ve been given the best reward, let’s be eager to share with others the grace in which God wants them to stand, too. Amen.