Rejoicing In Hope

Rejoicing in Hope

Reading the Word

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:1–2).

Getting Personal

Remember when your mother caught you disobeying one of her orders? You were guilty, caught red-handed, and you knew it. And you had to accept your punishment.

Over the years, the situations have changed drastically, but the results are the same—disobedience and guilt. Our adult sins take many forms: hatred, gossip, lying, lust, pride, self-centeredness, and on and on. And this time we know that our guilt is much more serious and that we have offended more than Mom. In fact, we stand guilty before God, for every sin is a defiance of his laws and an affront to his holiness. The reality is that the deserved punishment for our sins is death—eternal death, separation from God forever. But this passage says we have been justified.

Being “made right in God’s sight” means being declared “not guilty.” No matter what we have done, we have been acquitted and forgiven because of Jesus (“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God”—4:25). Thus we have “peace with God” and stand in a place of highest privilege. Not only has God declared us “not guilty,” he has drawn us close to himself. Instead of being his enemies, we have become his friends—in fact, his very own children.

Being freed from the shackles of sin and the burden of guilt, we are now free to serve our loving Lord. Thank you Jesus.

Talking to God

Instead of leaving me lost in my sins, you sent your Son to pay the penalty I deserved, Father. And now I am forgiven, made right in your sight. Thank you for loving me, finding me, and saving me.

Adapted from On Eagles Wings by Dave Veerman (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1995), used by permission.