Monday, May 28, 2007

Bits and Pieces: Hope

"Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God," (Romans 5:1,2).

* Of the multitude of results that were accomplished by Christ on the cross in behalf of His church, Paul here highlights two: we have peace with God, and our introduction to God's grace.
Whereas when we were lost we were enemies of God, and lived our lives on the basis of works, when He saved us we experienced His acceptance and unmerited favor. And our justification serves as a springboard for the certain hope that we will one day be with our Savior forever.

* In these two verses, Paul speaks of our past standing, which serves as the source of our present rejoicing and future hope. At the moment of salvation, we experienced the peace of God, and reconciliation with God. We were also introduced to the principle of grace as a present lifestyle. And finally, we rejoice in the certainty of someday seeing our Savior in all His glory.

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