March 12, 2023
Pastor John Hering
Romans 5:1-8
Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice confidently on the basis of our hope for the glory of God.
3 Not only this, but we also rejoice confidently in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patient endurance, 4 and patient endurance produces tested character, and tested character produces hope. 5 And hope will not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us.
6 For at the appointed time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 It is rare indeed that someone will die for a righteous person. Perhaps someone might actually go so far as to die for a person who has been good to him. 8 But God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
George’s head was spinning with thoughts as the raindrops slid off the windshield (he used RainX). It had been a long time since he had seen his dad….. those angry words were still ringing in his ears. He would never forget what his dad said, “I swear, I never want to see you again!” For years they hated each other, but last night everything changed. George’s dad had a serious heart attack. George dropped everything and headed to the hospital in the rain. His heart kept heaving into his throat with regretful thoughts for not trying to fix the matter. George thought about all the energy he spent holding a bitter grudge, that could have been spent enjoying all the other blessings a father and son could have. How stupid! He had missed out on so much because he was focused on one disagreement, that now, he can hardly remember what it was.
He got to the hospital and prayed, “O God, please don’t let this be the end. Please give me the chance to fix things!” His dad was in ICU, room #7. On the way he got a call from the nurse, “Your father has regained consciousness and wants to see you—something about how important it was to see his son and make it right again. That was it! They were no longer enemies, but father and son again! All George could do was jump up and down in the puddles as he ran to go see his father. Would you like to splash in some spiritual waters with me today?
That’s how Paul started the Word before us today, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We call that “reconciliation” or “Atonement.” What once was broken apart, is now brought back together again. We have peace with God because we’ve been justified. You have been declared not guilty for Jesus’ sake. That means the status between you and God went from enemies to friends. Doesn’t that make you want to jump up and down in the puddles of the Living Water, Jesus Christ, your Savior? Today may the Holy Spirit inspire us to…
Splash in The Living Water of Jesus’ Cross
Securing Us in a Very Different Way
We have learned that one of the biggest reason people don’t get along is because they have to battle their own pride and ego in their heart. Both sides have to forgive each other and then learn to trust each other. It’s living up to that trust that is so hard. For you see, both sides (the sin & stubbornness) are usually at fault for causing the division. This is what happened to George and his dad. These feelings were fixed when they realized the blessings they were missing due to their stubbornness. The heart attack forced them to set aside their differences and heal their relationship. However, our relationship with God was fixed in a very different way. God had done nothing wrong. God had nothing to fix and nothing to change. He was, is and always will be holy and just.
What about us? Do you remember what we’re up against? We couldn’t fix ourselves for “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Is 64:6). We brought nothing to the table, or as Paul says, “While we were still sinners.” Stubborn sinners are not interested in the refreshing Water of God’s Love. We were completely unable to compromise on our part. Those who by nature are spiritually dead have NO strength to do what was good in God’s eyes. NO ability to take a step toward God. NO inclination to trust him. Remember what God told Noah? “I will never again curse the soil anymore because of man, for the thoughts he forms in his heart are evil from his youth” (Gen 8:21). No love for God. No respect for God’s will. No desire to worship God. No Thirst! Why? Because, as Paul points out, “…while we were still sinners.” Our hearts were filled with evil desires. Our words and actions were all corrupt. We always missed the mark of holiness. No type of compromise could bring reconciliation.
And it gets worse! You see, to have true peace one must have solid trust. Our sinful nature refuses to trust God. We know that he is a just God and will call us to account. Just look at the Children of Israel who were thirsty! Rather than trust in God all they could do is complain to God. Just like them we were born enemies of God. Think about it. God gave us the 10 Commandments and all we do is betray his trust every time we disobey him. You get the picture: God doesn’t need to change and we are powerless to be holy as God demands. God had every right to say in just and holy anger, “I never want to see you again!”
That’s why God planned a very different way to restore peace between us and God. It was not through change, but through sacrifice! God gave up his Son, his one and only Son out of pure undeserved love! Paul said, “It is rare indeed that someone will die for a righteous person. Perhaps someone might actually go so far as to die for a person who has been good to him.” That’s normal for me! You be nice to me and I’ll be nice to you. If you’re mean to me, then I’ll be mean to you. What you couldn’t ever do, Jesus did! What impresses you the most about Jesus’ sacrifice? Jesus secured our salvation in a very different way! He brought us life, peace and joy by way of the cross! The Son of God died instead of you and me.
This is our hope when we see the very real reminder of Jesus hanging on this cross! That’s why the day Jesus died is called Good Friday. We Splash in the saving blood of Jesus Christ has God’s dearly loved children. We know and believe that Jesus’ sacrifice changes our relationship with God in a very different and wonderful way. It is by grace! And we know and believe that Jesus’ sacrifice
Brings Us a Peace That’s Here to Stay
When George and his dad were reconciled at the hospital, they enjoyed that moment together very much. As sweet as it was, it doesn’t hold a candle to God’s solution! Human beings, because of who we are, will always be tempted to doubt. Will forgiveness last? Will such peace last? Will old arguments reignite? Can I really trust this person now? Dear Friends, God’s solution is quite different. Instead of a doubtful peace, God’s solution brings a sure salvation, which is peace that That’s Here To Stay. This is our unfailing hope that will not disappoint. Why can you be so sure God’s solution will never fail you? Listen to what Paul says:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice confidently on the basis of our hope for the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2
The Judge has already declared you not guilty because Jesus’ blood paid for your sins. If the Judge declares you not guilty, do you need to fear his anger or think that he will sentence you to death? Of course not. Do you see? When God sacrificed his Son for us and made us his own sons and daughters through Jesus’ death, then how much more can we be certain that his Peace Is Here To Stay because Jesus lives! Jesus paid the price demanded by God by his death on the cross. His resurrection proves that what happened on the cross stuck. It was good. It is God’s irreversible promise, sealed in your baptism when God splashed water on you to make you his own dear child, and That Is Here To Stay!
Those who do not trust in Jesus’ sacrifice for them, don’t have this peace or salvation. But you, you get to be confident that through faith in Jesus you are saved for all eternity every day. This ultimate peace shows itself in so many ways even while we live in this sin-broken world. We suffer physical pressures as we struggle with pain and illness. We suffer emotional pressures when we feel alone, unloved, or let down. We suffer social pressures when others ridicule our faith. We suffer spiritual pressures as we struggle against the temptations of the devil. St Paul encourages us:
“3 Not only this, but we also rejoice confidently in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patient endurance, 4 and patient endurance produces tested character, and tested character produces hope. 5 And hope will not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
You have experienced this. When enduring difficult times is when you find out who you really are. Will you confess your failures and great need for a Savior, or will you blame everybody else for you troubles. Adam tried that. It didn’t work. But, when your character/nature holds on to God’s Promises that His Peace is Here To Stay, then you have real hope in Jesus Christ!
And so we are back where we started. We’re back at Christ’s sacrifice for us. God no longer calls you his enemies, but his friends for Jesus’ sake. It is a wonderful thing when two people, like a father and son work things out. How much more wonderful is the miraculous way God secured our relationship with him through Jesus Christ. That is Peace that’s Here To Stay. So, dear friends, Splash In The Living Water of Jesus’ Cross! Amen!
