Let’s reflect on some important questions before we dive into this passage.
- Who are the enemies of God? (v. 1)
- If the Christians can boast, what should they boast about? (v. 2)
- What has God given believers to show his love? (v. 5)
Commentary:
Romans 5:1. Paul has taken steps to show that humanity have become diametrically opposed to God. Paul explained in chapter 1 and 2 that not knowing God causes us to go our own ways or to boast of our good deeds, and Paul concluded in chapter 3 that no one is righteous. He then illustrated the wicked ways of some of the unrighteous. Later on this chapter, he would describe believers as previous enemies of God. James also said that friendship with the world is hostility toward God (James 4:4).
To have peace with God, one must stop boasting about themselves. Internal recognition of one’s insufficiency precipitates the need of a Savior. Knowing that justification cannot be achieved through work; one sets out to find the grace of God. God has only the grace in Jesus Christ. No other religion is grace based. That is why reconciliation with God must be through Jesus Christ. When one believes in Jesus Christ, then he/she is justified by faith.
Romans 5:2. Jesus Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6). He is like a bridge that brings us over the bottomless pit, and He provides us access to God. Jesus is the way.
Jesus is also the grace of God. The word “stand” in this verse is associated with a courtroom setting. In the court of God, we can either plead innocent or guilty. No one can plead innocent and be justified because everyone violates the Law of God. If guilty, what can people plead? Believers can still plead innocent because we stand on Jesus—the grace of God.
Believers will be justified because of faith. We have genuine hope that we will in the presence of God. We can exult about that hope. The word “exult” is the same as the word “boast” in 2:17, 23, and 27. In 2:27, Paul said that Christians should never boast; that refers to the work that we do. Instead of boasting about ourselves, Paul teaches us that we can boast about the hope we have in Christ.
Romans 5:3-4. In addition to the hope in Christ, we boast about our tribulations. Why? That is because tribulation is not the end in itself. Tribulation eventually would bring hope, which leads us right back to the hope we have in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:5. The hope of Christians is genuine and is rooted in God—what God has done for us. Holy Spirit has come into us when we first believed. His presence is the assurance that God loves us. Jesus’ work on the cross is also the assurance that God loves us.
What is the character of God’s love? That is the subject of the devotion of tomorrow.
Meditation:
The enemies of God have no peace. They do not know what their life purpose is. They struggle to have lasting genuine friendship. They have no assurance of what tomorrow holds. In contrast, Jesus offers his followers peace that transcends the world and understanding. That is why Christians should boast daily because we have peace through Jesus Christ.
In boasting, be careful that we do not confuse God’s work with our own merit. We should be aware the two things that Paul lists out. The first is our hope in heaven. It is never about our merit but is entirely God’s grace.
The second is the struggle we have. It is not about what we can do but about the assurance we have in God.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we are grateful that you send your Son to seek us out while we are still enemies of yours. We thank You for the free gift we have in Christ Jesus. We pray that we will boast only in the two ways that Paul has taught us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.