the total package

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:11

Because we have been justified by God through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we have peace with God. This is life’s biggest deal. This is the best, all-inclusive, most life-changing gift ever given. It closes the open loop of sin and death that led us down a broad gate into a burning hell. We would never be good enough because none of us, even through one action, could match the holiness of God. We are given instead the righteousness of His perfect Son. We are reconciled to God.

Paul has explained this so clearly in Romans 5:1-11. Here is an attempted summary:

• We are justified by faith and bring nothing but our faith with us in the deal (Romans 5:1).
• Jesus is our Justifier (Romans 5:1).
• We stand in what Jesus does by faith, secure in a future hope that sees us safe from initial justification all the way through to future glory (Romans 5:2).
• We gain a full rounded perspective in life, enduring suffering because God gives us a confident hope in our position in Christ (Romans 5:3-6).
• There is a golden chain of personal experience of the gospel that transforms even our toughest experiences (Romans 5:3-6). It looks something like this: suffering —> endurance —-> character—-> hope—-> God’s love—-> Holy Spirit indwelling.
• We were weak, helpless in our sin, impotent. Christ is strong, righteous, and powerful to save (Romans 5:6-8).
• We were saved from the worst possible future: the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).
• We were enemies. Now we are family (Romans 5:10-11).

Lord Jesus,

I rejoice in Your work. You have a church now, worldwide, Your body of believers who by faith are changed by You forever! I am reconciled to God by faith in Jesus. Nothing will take away what You have done. And so I endure any hardship, let You keep making me what You desire, wildly excited in the hope I have since I am in God’s love, not under His wrath.

Amen