Standing in the Grace of God
Thinking about Romans 5:2.
Through whom [our Lord Jesus Christ] also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
One of the blessings for those who have been justified by faith is having peace with God. But that’s not the only blessing.
Paul continues and adds that through our Lord Jesus Christ, the justified “have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.”
Access by Faith.
To stand in the grace of God, a person must first have access to “enter that room.” How does someone enter the place where they can stand in God’s grace?
Only through our Lord Jesus Christ can one access by faith the place where they can stand in God’s grace.
“Faith” being repeated we are are being told that it is the fundamental issue in man’s response to God in Christ. It is not faith as opposed to repentance or obedience. It is faith as opposed to “works,” or “law.” We don’t gain access to God in Christ by the merit or personal performance. - McGuiggan, Romans, 155
It’s important to remember how Paul is using faith in Romans. Faith is contrasted with “law” or “works” - not with obedience. In fact, obedience is the expected response to God - remember Abraham? (Romans 4:1-12)
Even Jesus said if we love Him, we will obey Him (John 14:15).
The man or woman who can read the New Testament (or the Old) and not catch the truth that one must obey God or He cannot (judicially) forgive is so badly astray that I don’t know what would convince them otherwise. - McGuiggan, Romans, 155
Through Jesus Christ, the justified have access by faith - as opposed to the law or meritorious works - to the place where we stand in God’s grace.
The Grace in Which We Stand.
To “stand” in “grace” means that we have grace as the defining characteristic of our lives. Instead of depending on the Law, we depend on the favor and blessings of God. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 168
Those who try to live on their own record must live flawless lives to be pronounced innocent at the Judgment. They are basing their salvation upon themselves and their abilities to live a sinless life.
They will fail. Paul has made that abundantly clear through the first three chapters of Romans.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
However, the justified are the ones who have sinned and yet have been “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). The blood Jesus shed on the cross is that which justifies sinners and saves them from God’s judicial wrath upon all unrighteousness (Romans 5:9).
The justified no longer stand in their own sins awaiting the wrath of God (Romans 1:32). The justified stand in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and enjoy the grace of God through Him.
You stand in a totally different place - in God’s grace - through our Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done.
Well said... some people think being sinless is to sin less. They would be wrong!