“Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have PEACE (eirēnē: a state of concord, harmony) WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1-2) “Justify” is the Greek word (dikaioō: to render a favorable verdict, to acquit) The word, of course, comes from the court room, where the declaration “not guilty” or “pardoned” sets a person free from a sentence of punishment by imprisonment or death. “Justify” occurs frequently in the first part of Romans. When someone is justified, he is not only declared righteous, HE IS MADE RIGHTEOUS, and receives the divine gift of righteousness through faith in Christ. Instead of being considered on the “wrong side” of God, he is now pardoned, and THE THREAT OF CONDEMNATION GOES AWAY. He or she now has a righteous standing so far as God is concerned. He or she is declared righteous. “Faith,” (pistis: trust, reliance), is the means of our justification. It is specifically a “state of believing on the basis of the reliability of our TRUSTED LORD JESUS CHRIST and our confidence in Him.”
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT, because the love of God has been POURED OUT IN OUR HEARTS by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.” (Rom. 5:3-6) The death of the Lord Jesus Christ for the ungodly, stands out as the GREATEST HISTORICAL ACT that has ever transpired. It stands between eternity past and eternity future as THE ONLY HOPE FOR MANKIND to be saved from ungodliness, to have the FORGIVENESS OF SINS and to know acceptance with God. We must understand, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (makrothumeo: to be mild and slow in avenging) toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.” (2 Pet. 3:9)
-Bill Stockham