This perseverance results in a tried and true character. And this tried and true character results in more hope, an even greater sense of confidence that God is restoring us to the glory he made us for.

When we’re right with God we not only have assurance that our future is secure, but we also have assurance that God is working in the midst of our problems.

Just as an antique table probably doesn’t like being stripped of the old varnish and sanded, we recoil from the pain that comes our way. Yet it’s this very process that evidences the fact that our restoration has already begun. God is already stripping away the old stuff, sanding down the rough edges, and applying new coats of varnish to restore us to our divine purpose.

Assurance of God’s Love (5:5-8)

Next Paul zeros in on our experience of God’s love. He focuses on both the subjective and objective components of God’s love. Subjectively we experience God’s love because, through the Spirit, God has drenched our heart with his love. Objectively we look at the cross, and there we see the evidence for God’s love. The objective evidence of God’s love in the cross of Christ anchors our experience of that love in reality.

In those moments when we doubt God’s love or our experience of God’s love fades, the cross of Christ stands as an ever present reminder. In addition to receiving assurance about our future and assurance that God is working in our problems, we see here that when we’re right with God we receive the assurance that God loves us no matter what.

Assurance of God’s Friendship (5:9-11)

In this final section, Paul uses the language of “reconciliation” to describe our new relationship with God. While “justification” was a legal term to describe a person being “set right”, the term “reconciliation” is a relationship term that describes former enemies being brought together in friendship.

Because “reconciliation” comes from the realm of friendship, most religious people of Paul’s day didn’t use this term to describe people’s relationship with God because it was considered too arrogant and boastful to think of God being our friend.2 Yet here we find our relationship with God described as nothing less than a reconciled friendship.

When we’re right with God we receive assurance of God’s friendship.

We sing a worship song called “Redeemer, Savior, Friend.”3 I can understand God as my redeemer. I can understand God as my Savior. But to view God as my friend seems too audacious, too amazing. Yet it’s true.

In the midst of life’s many uncertainties, Paul provides us with four assurances: Assurance of a secure future, assurance that God is working in our problems, assurance of God’s love, and assurance of God’s friendship. These assurances enable us to face any circumstance with hope and confidence.

1 James D. G. Dunn, Romans 1-8. Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 38 A (Dallas. Word Books, 1988), p. 248.
2 Douglas Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), p. 311.
3 "Redeemer, Savior, Friend” words and music by Darrell Evans and Chris Springer. © 1999 Integrity’s Hosanna!/Integrity’s Praise! Music.

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Sermon brief provided by: Tim Peck, Pastor of Life Bible Fellowship Church in Upland, CA.