Romans 5: 1 “... peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
For a third time we can visit this verse and consider something more. We are justified by faith we know. We are also consequently at peace (or have peace) with God where once there was enmity. This process is by grace – our salvation, every part of it, is an act of grace. We have also established that this grace can only be imparted to us because of the Lord Jesus Christ’s propitiatory death and his glorious resurrection. The sacrifice made in atonement has allowed us to reach this state of being considered worthy in His sight, again, only as we are clothed in His righteousness.
Now while it may seem to be revisiting a point already made, these things are made possible through not only the Lord Jesus Christ but, note Paul’s words, our Lord Jesus Christ. Our personal saviour and our corporate high priest. Verse one is such a complete statement, in just 15 words Paul manages to convey and underscore so many essential aspects of our salvation. The sentence would be correct without adding ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’. Paul has already in Romans 3 completely established our depravity and in chapter 4 he has incisively stated our justification can only be through faith, using Abraham as an example. He also underlines that out righteousness before God is imputed to us, never earned.
So again, the mention that this is achieved ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’ is unnecessary to our understanding of the process of justification. So why add it?
Well firstly and fore mostly it is a comment surely of praise and glorification. Paul is reminding the Romans of the essential vehicle of salvation that is both the man and the Lord Jesus Christ. In all things we should include the wonder working power of Jesus and His blood. It is not enough to merely comment on the functions and legality of atonement, propitiation and justification. It is not enough to merely describe the peace in our souls gained where once there was hostility. The Lord Jesus Christ “delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification” stands astride all this in His Glory. He straddles the eternity between condemnation and salvation as a bridge for us to access eternal life. He is the peacemaker and doorway through whom we can be justified.
To omit His name is to defame His part in the process! (for without Him there would be no process!) To pay lip service to the name of Jesus is not enough! His name should not sneak quietly from the corner of our mouths or be added to a prayer as an almost forgotten addendum! We should in all things praise and magnify His name!
Paul was not merely reminding us of who our intercessor is. He is not even being repetitious or verbose in his wording. He is reinforcing and reminding the Romans and us of who achieved this wondrous work. Not some faceless god, not a legal action performed behind closed doors, but our loving, all sufficient Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. One whose name should leap fully from our mouths in praise and adoration at every possible turn. Paul was making an unambiguous statement in verse 1 of this fifth chapter, but in it he is also posing a question.
Are you adding His name to all that you do?
Is it lip service?
Are you giving Him the praise his gift of eternal life and joy should merit?
Do it today Christian, do it in everything you do!
Showing posts with label Romans 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans 3. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Friday, 13 August 2010
Romans 5:1b 'peace with God'
Romans 5: 1b “...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In my last post I hope we identified how our justification is achieved and that it is all by grace and not in any part by our works. It is a complete work of His and not of us. This has now allowed, or afforded us, ‘peace with God’. The act of repentance is turning from sin, literally to turn away. Just as the Israelites left Egypt and were not to look back, or ‘return’ to Egypt, and as Lot leaving Sodom was to not look back, neither should we.
This ‘peace with God’ is achieved first through reconciliation. This reconciliation is with God where before there was hate and enmity. As we turn in repentance, He too turns to reconcile us to Himself and shines His countenance upon us. Once again it is God who does the work here. He comes to us. He is/was the offended party and the reconciliation is His to give. Our hate, spite and ungodliness was/is an affront to Him, deserving of divine wrath and judgement. Hoeksema put it (my paraphrase) that God’s ‘hate’ of sin is rather a ‘holy NO’. He cannot hate as we understand the word, for to hate is to sin. His wrath, His hate and anger are divine and holy. God will not have sin, the price must be paid the propitiation must be made. His non tolerance of sin is an everlasting, eternal ‘NO’. There cannot be a more definite, consistent refusal.
Peace with God is not possible without Christ’s intervention. Our enmity and our sinful disposition put us on the wrathful end of this holy NO. Again, in Romans 3: 10 - 18 we get an explanation of why. ‘None are righteous’ (v10), ‘no one seeks God’ (v11b) and there is ‘no fear of God in their eyes’ (v18). Our nature is at war with God’s prior to our salvation. Our sin despises Him and seeks to keep us facing away from Him; it is comfortable in keeping its back to the sunrise of God’s glory.
‘But now’ (Romans 3: 21) Jesus has satisfied the wrath. The lamb was slain and our sins pardoned by the holy scapegoat Son of God. ‘Therefore’ (v1a) we can be justified, we can be clothed in His raiment, dressed in Jesus’ own righteousness and presented worthy in God’s sight. This and this alone grants us access to the Almighty.
To ‘have peace’ is to truly be with Him. To be in His presence ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’ is to know peace. Peace in our mind, heart, body and soul. It is an all enveloping, complete peace that can only be found in His presence and in having full assurance that the work is finished, that we do not need to rely on ourselves to receive or earn His love and grace. Once more the work is His and the list of God’s grace to us grows longer – to be with Him, to be in His presence, to offer sacrifices of prayer and praise are further benefits of having peace with Him, all enmity dead and gone.
To be with Him Christian! Consider that.
In Jesus’ complete work you are not just afforded salvation from the condemnation of your sin, not just justified in His sight, not just made whole and worthy, not just to be ultimately glorified, not just to be an heir and adopted son, not just clothed in Jesus righteousness, not just full of His grace and love. You are granted God’s full and blessed peace... and all in His presence.
Oh what a Saviour, oh to be with Him.
In my last post I hope we identified how our justification is achieved and that it is all by grace and not in any part by our works. It is a complete work of His and not of us. This has now allowed, or afforded us, ‘peace with God’. The act of repentance is turning from sin, literally to turn away. Just as the Israelites left Egypt and were not to look back, or ‘return’ to Egypt, and as Lot leaving Sodom was to not look back, neither should we.
This ‘peace with God’ is achieved first through reconciliation. This reconciliation is with God where before there was hate and enmity. As we turn in repentance, He too turns to reconcile us to Himself and shines His countenance upon us. Once again it is God who does the work here. He comes to us. He is/was the offended party and the reconciliation is His to give. Our hate, spite and ungodliness was/is an affront to Him, deserving of divine wrath and judgement. Hoeksema put it (my paraphrase) that God’s ‘hate’ of sin is rather a ‘holy NO’. He cannot hate as we understand the word, for to hate is to sin. His wrath, His hate and anger are divine and holy. God will not have sin, the price must be paid the propitiation must be made. His non tolerance of sin is an everlasting, eternal ‘NO’. There cannot be a more definite, consistent refusal.
Peace with God is not possible without Christ’s intervention. Our enmity and our sinful disposition put us on the wrathful end of this holy NO. Again, in Romans 3: 10 - 18 we get an explanation of why. ‘None are righteous’ (v10), ‘no one seeks God’ (v11b) and there is ‘no fear of God in their eyes’ (v18). Our nature is at war with God’s prior to our salvation. Our sin despises Him and seeks to keep us facing away from Him; it is comfortable in keeping its back to the sunrise of God’s glory.
‘But now’ (Romans 3: 21) Jesus has satisfied the wrath. The lamb was slain and our sins pardoned by the holy scapegoat Son of God. ‘Therefore’ (v1a) we can be justified, we can be clothed in His raiment, dressed in Jesus’ own righteousness and presented worthy in God’s sight. This and this alone grants us access to the Almighty.
To ‘have peace’ is to truly be with Him. To be in His presence ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’ is to know peace. Peace in our mind, heart, body and soul. It is an all enveloping, complete peace that can only be found in His presence and in having full assurance that the work is finished, that we do not need to rely on ourselves to receive or earn His love and grace. Once more the work is His and the list of God’s grace to us grows longer – to be with Him, to be in His presence, to offer sacrifices of prayer and praise are further benefits of having peace with Him, all enmity dead and gone.
To be with Him Christian! Consider that.
In Jesus’ complete work you are not just afforded salvation from the condemnation of your sin, not just justified in His sight, not just made whole and worthy, not just to be ultimately glorified, not just to be an heir and adopted son, not just clothed in Jesus righteousness, not just full of His grace and love. You are granted God’s full and blessed peace... and all in His presence.
Oh what a Saviour, oh to be with Him.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Romans 5: 1
Well I sat and watched Zulu. Then I had a short bible study and prayer time on the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1 - 12). Then I remembered my earlier mention of reopening my studies on Romans. So having read the whole chapter I scrutinsed the first verse a little closer, and felt prompted to scrawl this. I apologise for any disjointed theology or spelling/grammar I haven't properly proof read it. I shall do so when my head has stopped spinning - it took me twice as long to type it up as it did to write it!!! I hope you benefit from it somehow...
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5: 1
‘Therefore’ – this ‘therefore’ can be considered in context rather like the ‘But now’ at the start of Romans 3: 21. ‘As a consequence of’ or ‘resulting from’ an action not of our own, but of Christ’s. Romans 3: 21 is fundamental in our redemption as it explains to us in no uncertain terms how the new covenant is established. ‘It was like this... but now it is like this...’ (Though the Jews would have required faith too, a lone reliance on adherence to the law was still justification by works).
Romans 3: 10 - 18 outlines how we are all under sin and condemned by our nature, ‘there is none righteous, no, not one’. We must first recognise, through the Holy Spirit’s prompting, our true state and the uselessness of our reliance on works. We cannot, Paul says, justify ourselves by any means. Christ alone can satisfy for our sins and none other but He. (Romans 3: 1 - 20)
So through, or by God’s righteousness imparted to us through Jesus Christ’s atonement, we can be saved, made acceptable in His sight. ‘But now’ Christ has become our great high priest and intercessor.
Romans 3 describes how ‘by works of the law’ (3: 20) no man can be justified. And ‘(but) now’ His righteousness has been manifested apart from the law we can be clothed as righteous through faith and faith alone in Christ’s propitiation. Christ being 'put' (ESV) or 'set' (KJV) forth by God for His purposes. Therefore by faith alone we are justified. This not being an action of our own, but once again, it is an action of Him and Him alone. While we possess faith it is only a faith given to us by grace. Just as we are graciously afforded our redemption, justified with undeserved merit.
This ‘peace’ then with God (5:1) is ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’, He is once again all sufficient. Not only is He now our high priest and intercessor, not only is He made propitiation for our iniquities, not only as a spotless lamb put forth by God for us! He is also our faith and our conduit for receiving God’s grace and peace. What a complete saviour! What a masterful work!
Every part of our salvation is by Him, just as “all things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1: 16) so are we. In every part He has control and dominion, a truly sovereign Lord. Our conviction, rebirth, justification, sanctification, faith and ultimate glorification is His. We are unable to do any part of it ourselves – “for by works... no human being will be justified...” (Romans 3: 20 ESV), “by deeds... shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” (KJV).
‘Therefore’ we are left with so little required of us – simple obedience, prayer and praise. The work is complete! Rejoice and be glad Christian that your salvation depends solely on a gracious, loving, Sovereign Lord and not on your own sinful, fallible, disobedient self!
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5: 1
‘Therefore’ – this ‘therefore’ can be considered in context rather like the ‘But now’ at the start of Romans 3: 21. ‘As a consequence of’ or ‘resulting from’ an action not of our own, but of Christ’s. Romans 3: 21 is fundamental in our redemption as it explains to us in no uncertain terms how the new covenant is established. ‘It was like this... but now it is like this...’ (Though the Jews would have required faith too, a lone reliance on adherence to the law was still justification by works).
Romans 3: 10 - 18 outlines how we are all under sin and condemned by our nature, ‘there is none righteous, no, not one’. We must first recognise, through the Holy Spirit’s prompting, our true state and the uselessness of our reliance on works. We cannot, Paul says, justify ourselves by any means. Christ alone can satisfy for our sins and none other but He. (Romans 3: 1 - 20)
So through, or by God’s righteousness imparted to us through Jesus Christ’s atonement, we can be saved, made acceptable in His sight. ‘But now’ Christ has become our great high priest and intercessor.
Romans 3 describes how ‘by works of the law’ (3: 20) no man can be justified. And ‘(but) now’ His righteousness has been manifested apart from the law we can be clothed as righteous through faith and faith alone in Christ’s propitiation. Christ being 'put' (ESV) or 'set' (KJV) forth by God for His purposes. Therefore by faith alone we are justified. This not being an action of our own, but once again, it is an action of Him and Him alone. While we possess faith it is only a faith given to us by grace. Just as we are graciously afforded our redemption, justified with undeserved merit.
This ‘peace’ then with God (5:1) is ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’, He is once again all sufficient. Not only is He now our high priest and intercessor, not only is He made propitiation for our iniquities, not only as a spotless lamb put forth by God for us! He is also our faith and our conduit for receiving God’s grace and peace. What a complete saviour! What a masterful work!
Every part of our salvation is by Him, just as “all things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1: 16) so are we. In every part He has control and dominion, a truly sovereign Lord. Our conviction, rebirth, justification, sanctification, faith and ultimate glorification is His. We are unable to do any part of it ourselves – “for by works... no human being will be justified...” (Romans 3: 20 ESV), “by deeds... shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” (KJV).
‘Therefore’ we are left with so little required of us – simple obedience, prayer and praise. The work is complete! Rejoice and be glad Christian that your salvation depends solely on a gracious, loving, Sovereign Lord and not on your own sinful, fallible, disobedient self!
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Propitiation, what a word.
Propitiation... an incredible word if you're a Christian.
"At all costs, whatever it may mean to us, we must hold onto this word. Propitiation through faith in His blood."
D M Lloyd-Jones (Expository notes on Romans)
Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology words it like this (referencing Romans 3:25 KJV/NKJV/ESV/NASB) - "...tells us that God put forward Christ as a 'propitiation' a word that means "a sacrifice that bears God's wrath to the end and in doing so changes God's wrath toward us into favour."
Herman Hoeksema, when talking of God's wrath in 'Righteous by Faith Alone' explained God's wrath as a 'righteous anger' and perhaps more easily understandable (to me in my paraphrasing) is a 'Holy NO' to sin... God will not have sin in His sight and rejects it utterly with this mighty, unchangeable "NO!"
*disclaimer - my theology is fragile and in its infancy so forgive any errors. The reasons for making the point over the vitality of the word 'propitiation' I hope will become clear.*
The point I am trying to make is that the word propitiation describes how in legal terms God's wrath MUST be appeased and this tariff or sentence that has to be handed out to sin must happen. Without saving grace this death sentence of God's wrath would fall on us sinners. But through delivering Jesus as a propitiatory sacrifice, the sentence, the tariff of the weight of that sin is borne by Jesus. He bears God's wrath, His awesome 'NO' for us.
No other word can substitute for this. Some versions lamely try to substitute it with 'atoning sacrifice' and/or 'expiation', but neither word measures up. Yes there was atonement and yes our sins are 'wiped away' in expiation, but neither is an adequate substitute for propitiation.
The Welsh words 'hwyl' or 'hiraeth' have, apparently, no direct translation into English. Even a sentence to explain them does not adequately describe the depth of feeling and emotion these words supposedly invoke in a true man of the vales. When speaking to a Welsh thoroughbred he will purse his lips and nod vigorously, perhaps even slapping your shoulder and fixing you with a knowing eye when you utter such words.
We frequently use phrases in everyday speech that suggest the lack of effective translation of certain words so you will frequently hear such phrases as 'faux pas' or 'vice versa'. Yes you can describe them, but they don't always do the phrase justice.
In my limited theological knowledge I am already surprised, nay shocked even that such looseness can occur in translating God's word. Propitiation is a key word in the Christian's vocabulary... if not in actual spoken word, then certainly in understanding. How, how, how, how, how it can be omitted completely from the NIV and other versions is a burgeoning mystery to me.
When I read about it and understood it I was awestruck and it made me realise afresh the gravity of exactly what has been done for us at the cross. Remind yourself of what the word means then compare these verses in various versions. It may surprise and even shock you to see the variety of language used for such important sections of scripture.
Romans 3:25
1 John 2:2
1 John 4:10
Hebrews 2:17
As a closing, contrasting comment. I enjoyed singing 'And can it be' in Church recently. My favourite verse being:
"At all costs, whatever it may mean to us, we must hold onto this word. Propitiation through faith in His blood."
D M Lloyd-Jones (Expository notes on Romans)
Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology words it like this (referencing Romans 3:25 KJV/NKJV/ESV/NASB) - "...tells us that God put forward Christ as a 'propitiation' a word that means "a sacrifice that bears God's wrath to the end and in doing so changes God's wrath toward us into favour."
Herman Hoeksema, when talking of God's wrath in 'Righteous by Faith Alone' explained God's wrath as a 'righteous anger' and perhaps more easily understandable (to me in my paraphrasing) is a 'Holy NO' to sin... God will not have sin in His sight and rejects it utterly with this mighty, unchangeable "NO!"
*disclaimer - my theology is fragile and in its infancy so forgive any errors. The reasons for making the point over the vitality of the word 'propitiation' I hope will become clear.*
The point I am trying to make is that the word propitiation describes how in legal terms God's wrath MUST be appeased and this tariff or sentence that has to be handed out to sin must happen. Without saving grace this death sentence of God's wrath would fall on us sinners. But through delivering Jesus as a propitiatory sacrifice, the sentence, the tariff of the weight of that sin is borne by Jesus. He bears God's wrath, His awesome 'NO' for us.
No other word can substitute for this. Some versions lamely try to substitute it with 'atoning sacrifice' and/or 'expiation', but neither word measures up. Yes there was atonement and yes our sins are 'wiped away' in expiation, but neither is an adequate substitute for propitiation.
The Welsh words 'hwyl' or 'hiraeth' have, apparently, no direct translation into English. Even a sentence to explain them does not adequately describe the depth of feeling and emotion these words supposedly invoke in a true man of the vales. When speaking to a Welsh thoroughbred he will purse his lips and nod vigorously, perhaps even slapping your shoulder and fixing you with a knowing eye when you utter such words.
We frequently use phrases in everyday speech that suggest the lack of effective translation of certain words so you will frequently hear such phrases as 'faux pas' or 'vice versa'. Yes you can describe them, but they don't always do the phrase justice.
In my limited theological knowledge I am already surprised, nay shocked even that such looseness can occur in translating God's word. Propitiation is a key word in the Christian's vocabulary... if not in actual spoken word, then certainly in understanding. How, how, how, how, how it can be omitted completely from the NIV and other versions is a burgeoning mystery to me.
When I read about it and understood it I was awestruck and it made me realise afresh the gravity of exactly what has been done for us at the cross. Remind yourself of what the word means then compare these verses in various versions. It may surprise and even shock you to see the variety of language used for such important sections of scripture.
Romans 3:25
1 John 2:2
1 John 4:10
Hebrews 2:17
As a closing, contrasting comment. I enjoyed singing 'And can it be' in Church recently. My favourite verse being:
.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
.
Gotta let rip with those last 2 lines! Amen.
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