Benefits!

Benefits!

Romans 5:1 AMPC

[1] THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

The verse above starts with a baseline. It is addressed to specific people: those who have been justified by faith. It needs clarity and exactness, so I can determine whose I am, who I am, where I am, what I can access, as well as where I am headed. These are not people who are able to stand on just personal recognition alone, but who know very clearly that whatever they are or have is a function of God's grace. They do not plead anything personal, like ability, capacity, connections, influence or value, but they have come into a special recognition of who Jesus is, what He has done, what He offers them, and they have taken full advantage of this knowledge. These are the specific people that the verse above seeks to address. Justification recognises that I could not help myself; it makes it clear that whatever I hold now is not on personal merit, but is given to me by One who could bring me into that special position. 

Faith makes it clear that it is not by labour or striving; if it was, not many will be justified. This is what makes what Jesus did so great and yet so dangerous at the same time. Men are still trying to 'earn' justification, because they cannot imagine getting anything of value for free. It ia great because all of us have been given access to this benefit, but it is also dangerous because no one can claim it by labour, or make an excuse for not getting it at the end of this earthly phase. We are made right with God, and restored to the original position we were in before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Sin changed landscape and destination for man, but Jesus came and changed the story yet again. At no time could man present anything that could make him 'earn' all that Jesus did for man, but now, man is in a unique position where he can claim all that Jesus is and has. 

What a wonderful opportunity, as well as a sobering experience. Sin took my peace, but the work of Jesus fully restored my peace. Sin took away my joy, but the life of Jesus in me has fully restored my joy. A lot of things may be going on now, but I rest assured in the work of Jesus on the cross, and how He took my place in all ways, paying the price I could not pay, so that I can be all that Jesus has promised to all who put their total trust in God. The end of the verse above is instructive: ignorance is a disservice to the work of Christ in and for me. The devil will try to keep me from accessing these benefits, and he has many schemes and devices, but this verse is a reminder of who I am now, based on who Jesus is and what He has done. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and the only One who can guarantee peace. He is all I need, and He has all I need. Would you accept and submit to Him? God's time of favour is here.