Romans
5:2 ESV
(2) Through him we have also obtained access by faith
into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
It is God’s grace, not the believers’ faith, which
enables them to stand firm in their salvation.
In Old Testament times, the notion of having direct
access to God was unthinkable because if anyone was to look at Him they would
surely die. After the tabernacle was built, only the high priest could enter
the holy of holies, where God would manifest His divine presence, and only once
a year for just a brief time.
But Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross ushered in a
New Covenant that made access to God possible for any person, Jew or Gentile,
who trusts in His sacrifice. All of us who believe now have direct access to
God.
Hebrews
(16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne
of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Because of our faith in Him, we stand firm and immovable.
Certainly, faith is necessary for salvation, but it is God’s grace and not our
faith that has the power to save us and maintain that salvation. What God did
initially through grace, we cannot preserve through our efforts. That would be
a mockery of God’s grace and an indication of our lack of trust in His desire
and power to preserve our salvation. Paul said,
Philippians 1:6 ESV
(6) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work
in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
In spite of our effort to avoid it, all of us will fall
into sin, but our sin is not more powerful than God’s grace. Jesus paid the
penalty for all our sins. If the sins we committed prior to our salvation were
not too great for Christ’s atoning death to cover, surely none of those we have
committed since then or will commit are too great for Him to cover.
The God who began a good work within us continues it
throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face. God's
work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work within
us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us
to be more like Christ every day. Paul is describing the process of Christian
growth and maturity that began when we accepted Jesus and continues until
Christ returns.
Do we sometimes feel as though we aren't making progress
in our spiritual life? When God starts a project, he completes it! As with the
Philippians, God will help us grow in grace until he has completed his work in
our life. When we are discouraged, remember that God won't give up on us. He
promises to finish the work he has begun. When we feel incomplete, unfinished,
or distressed by our shortcomings, remember God's promise and provision.
Don't let the present condition rob us of the joy of
knowing Christ or keep us from growing closer to him.
Romans 5:9-10 ESV
(9) Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his
blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
(10) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to
God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be
saved by his life.
The love that caused Christ to die is the same love that
sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that
raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saved us and is available to
us in our daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ, we have
a reserve of power and love to call on each day for help to meet every
challenge or trial. We can pray for God's power and love as we need it.
Romans
(11) More than that, we also rejoice in God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
God is holy, and he will not be associated with sin. All
people are sinful and so they are separated from God. In addition, all sin
deserves punishment. Instead of punishing us with the death, we deserve, Christ
took our sins upon himself and took our punishment by dying on the cross. Now
we can rejoice in God. Through faith in Christ's work, we become close to God
rather than being enemies and outcasts.
A dying Savior ushered us into God’s grace; we all need
to depend on the fact that a living Savior will keep us in His grace.
Grove Oak Church
