All Access: The Privileges of Justification, Romans 5:1-5

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on June 27, 2010. The lesson is on Romans 5:1-5 and looks at the advantages or the access that justification provides for those who follow Christ. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

All Access
The Privileges of Justification
Romans 5:1-5

Introduction
Recent travel and some experiences
I noticed in our recent trip that many places are marked off by boundaries or signs warning people away
a. The fence around a field marked as “Private Property”
b. The “No Soliciting” or “Stay off the Grass Sign”
c. The “No Trespassing “ or “Keep Out” sign
d. Employees or Authorized Personnel Only
All of these say “Access Denied” to those who don’t “belong” there

Questions
a. Describe a time when you were tempted to go in where you weren’t “allowed”
b. Have you ever gained “full access” to a celebrity, band, event? How did you feel being able to go where others were “forbidden”?
c. If you could have full access to one celebrity in today’s culture, who would you pick and why?

We have all been denied access to certain things.
There have also been times when we were allowed “access” that we did not expect.
We were given a benefit to get closer than we could before.
We were given “grace” to enter the secret place.

Our passage today describes the access or privileges we receive due to justification

Justification Defined

Galatians 2
A couple of weeks ago we discussed justification by faith
We saw how Paul understood justification to stem primarily from what Christ has accomplished, not from what we bring to the table
Justification means having a right standing with God, being acceptable in his sight

Romans 1-4: God’s good news
Chapters 1-2 consign all of humanity to the position of sinners; that is, we are all rebels fighting against God and his just cause. We are enemies of God.
Chapters 3-4 show the wages of our rebellion (DEATH!) and offer the idea that justification in God’s sight can be found only by faith in what Christ has accomplished. Sinners cannot justify themselves. Justification gives us access to all of God’s holiness, glory, righteousness, and mercy. It gives us access to all of God and his character

This leads us to chapter 5 and the privileges of justification

In Romans 5:1-5, Paul lists three major areas where justification provides access that makes a difference in our lives
a. Our Past
b. Our Present
c. Our Future

Jesus gives all access to the benefits of justification

1. Past Access: Peace with God
Romans 5:1

Paul begins his discussion by reminding the readers of his previous material: “Therefore”
Since we have received a proper standing with God by faith in what Christ has done, Paul shows how that access to God’s grace provides a past privilege

Access to Peace with God
We were enemies to God, rebels bent on doing things our way (Rom. 5:8-10)
We were at war with God and his righteousness or purpose
Paul reminds his readers that when they came to faith in Jesus and his faithfulness, they changed sides in the war.
The wages of sin (DEATH—Rom. 6:23) were no longer required of them. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided for them a pardon. We were declared innocent (even though we weren’t and still aren’t). God has given us Christ’s innocence
Peace is a cessation of hostilities. If we have come to have access to God’s grace through faith in Christ, then we are no longer to live as hostiles/rebels against God . We are not at war, we are at peace.

Jesus has all access to our past
He forgives our sins and brings peace between us and God

2. Present Access: God’s Provision
Romans 5:2-5

Paul reminds his readers that their access to God’s grace does not merely have repercussions for their past, this justification also has an impact on their present lives
Simply stated, Paul tells his readers that justification provides access to the very character of God and his provision for our lives in good and especially bad times

Access to God Himself (v. 2)
a. “Through whom” probably refers to Jesus and all he accomplished on our behalf
b. “Introduction” may be better translated “access”: By means of justification followers of Christ are given total access to God’s grace, even to God’s character!

Jesus provides us all access to God

Access to God Himself (continued)
Think of access to the President: If you or I tried to get into the White House, we’d meet with all kinds of prohibitions or hindrances. Why?
Simply stated, we do not have a relationship with the President that allows total access
The President’s children, however, have full access to their Father whenever they want it (Story of Tad Lincoln and the Confederate soldier)

This is the kind of access Paul addresses here. As children, we have total access to our Father and all the privileges that such an intimacy entails (Rom. 8:11-18)

What does this access to the Father mean for us?
a. Intimacy with God (He is “Abba” who adopted us)
b. Provision for our needs (Phil. 4:19)
c. Love and acceptance

Jesus has all access to his Father, and through him we do too!

Access to God’s provision even in suffering (vv. 3-5 cf. 2 Cor. 4:7-11; 16-18)

Note the use of the word “exult” (which may be translated “rejoice”) in verses 2 and 3. Paul ties our rejoicing in God’s glory with our rejoicing in tribulations
Paul isn’t talking here about enjoying problems; rather, he reports to his readers that access to God provides a reason to operate in hope even when times turn bad
Hope here means something like “a happy certainty” or “confidence” rather than what we usually mean in English by our word “hope”

Note the chain here:
a. Tribulation works perseverance (“patient enduring” cf. James 1:2-4)
b. Perseverance produces proven character
c. Character produces hope

Paul understands trials, and he also understands that trials are not obstacles, but God’s opportunities to work in us more of the character of Jesus. Think of tribulation as God’s opportunity. (2 Cor. 12:9)

According to Paul, it is through tribulations (“Pressure”) that the love of God is revealed in our lives by the Holy Spirit. Without the hope provided by God during the pressure of our lives, we would not know the love of God

Jesus provides all access to God’s love even when things are bad

3. Future Access: God’s Glory
Romans 5:2-5

Paul explains to his readers that justification provides providential access to our past and our present, but it also promises access to a glorious future

Access to the hope of the glory of God (v. 2)
a. This is a reference to eschatology, the end of time
b. It is also a reference to the fullness of God being revealed in and through us
c. It is “heaven,” not just future but in the present time too

In verse 5 Paul indicates that the love of God is poured out in us by the Holy Spirit as our hope is justified by God’s provision in our trials
In other words, as we are “pressed,” God’s glory is revealed as the character of Christ is revealed in our lives

Without a cross, there is no crown. “Suffering is the one and only path to glory.” Stott

“To burn brightly our lives must first experience the flame. In other words, we cease to bless others when we cease to bleed.” L. B. Cowman

“Combat comes before victory. . . . A badly bruised soul is one who is chosen.” L. B. Cowman

There is a process involved that results in the end with God receiving proper glory: perseverance, character, hope, love.

Jesus is our access to God’s future glory since he is God’s glory

Application
So, now what? How do we respond to this?
Honesty compels me to admit I struggled to come up with a good application.

Here is a suggestion:
1. Remind yourself regularly this week of the past, present, and future access that justification gives you. Spend time in Romans 5, let God soak it into your very being, your heart, your soul.

2. As you dwell on what Jesus has accomplished, give a hard look at your character. Where has the trials of your life worked perseverance, character, hope, and love? If you can’t find any, ask God for his help.

3. Look around you this week and see who needs the hope and love of God. Come up with a plan to share that hope and love with them (e.g., share the message of salvation, share a word of encouragement, pray, serve, be the hands and feet of Christ).

Remember, Jesus is our full access.
In him we are not denied our Father’s presence or provision.
We have access to justification and its privileges.

Further Discussion
1. Why is it crucial to know whether or not we have “access” to God? What would prevent our access? Read Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-4; Isaiah 59:1-2. How is access to God granted to us then? Read Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:4-10

2. What are the benefits of justification which Paul expounds in Romans 5:1-5?

3. How did we gain access to God? v. 2

4. What is the hope of the glory of God? v. 2 (cf. Col. 1:27)

5. Why should we rejoice in trials? v. 3

6. How has God used trouble to develop your character? Where do you need more of his help?

7. How do we know God loves us?

Thanks for reading!