Third Sunday in Lent (A)

March 3, 2002

The Justified Life Revealed

Romans 5:1-11

The teachings of the Keswick Christian Life Convention have played a significant role in my spiritual formation. From the outset of my Christian pilgrimage, I have been taught that the Christian life is the "Christ Life." In the words of Hudson Taylor, it is "The Exchanged Life."

The Christian life is more than deliverance from hell and assurance of heaven -- as glorious as that is. Paul's burden here is to take his reader beyond the fundamentals of salvation to the riches found in Christ.

In central Vermont, when a farmer sees a breaking out from the ledges of rock in his pasture with white or whitish veins, he at once thinks marble. It may be that his farm is but the covering of quarries that will make him rich. So he bores or blasts down into the earth to discover whether his conjectures are well founded. Some have found fortunes there lying in wait for the man who would discover them.

With the word "therefore" in 5:1, Paul begins introducing his reader to the deeper truths of the Christian life.

I. It Is a Life of Peace with God (v. 1)

The thought of peace is on every heart today. We live in a world filled with trouble and conflict. Christians everywhere are praying for peace. However, as important as it is for men to be at peace with each other, the greater concern is for men to be at peace with God.

Peace means cessation of conflict. The war is over. We have laid our weapons down. We can only experience peace of God after we are at peace with God.

II. It Is a Life of Access to God (v. 2a)

Think of it! We who were once strangers and foreigners (Eph. 2:19), now have access to God. We can freely enter His presence. The following story told by John Phillips, illustrates the life of access:

"A little boy once stood outside the gates of Buckingham palace in London. He wanted to talk to the king but was sternly repulsed by the guard at the gate. He rubbed a grimy hand to his cheek to wipe away a tear. Just then along came a well-dressed man who asked the little fellow to explain his trouble. When he heard the story, the man smiled and said, 'Here, hold my hand, sonny. I'll get you in. Just you never mind those soldiers.' The little boy took the proffered hand and, to his surprise, saw the soldiers leap to attention and present arms as his new-found friend approached. Past the guard he was led, along carpeted halls, through wide-flung doors and on through a glittering throng right up to the throne of the king. He had taken the hand of the Prince of Wales, the king's son! Through him he had gained access."2

III. It Is a Life of Hope (v. 2b)

Our hope, our anticipation is that the glory of God which once characterized man before the Fall will once again be fully restored. One day His radiant splendor will be displayed in the lives of His redeemed and justified people.

IV. It Is a Life of Tribulation (vv. 3-4)

The justified life is not a life free of troubles and tribulation. Rather, it may be a life characterized by trials and tribulations.