A future certainty rooted in present reality

In Romans, Paul is constantly building thought upon thought. In chapter 4 Paul discussed justification by faith, using Abraham as our model. Right off the bat in chapter 5 Paul confirms salvation through faith and spends the next few verses discussing the benefits of justification by faith. We are made right with God by faith through Jesus. But it isn’t just about a lofty, far-off future goal. Because of Jesus we also experience grace now.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

-The first benefit we gain is peace with God. Matthew Henry says “It is sin that breeds the quarrel between us and God, creates not only a strangeness, but an enmity; the holy righteous God cannot in honour be at peace with a sinner while he continues under the guilt of sin.” Things aren’t just uncomfortable between God and us; there isn’t just an awkward distance like when you find out a friend said something a little hurtful. Col 1:19-22 says before we are made right through faith we are enemies of God, alienated and hostile. Without justification, our rebellious human spirit is at war with God.
- BUT!!! Peace with God is more than a ceasing of war, it insinuates a friendship and intimacy. For example North and South Korea signed a truce at the end of the war. There is technical peace in that they are not actively fighting each other. But there is inner hostility, hatred, bitterness, distrust, and lingering contempt. Contrast this to the peace we have with Japan. Not only was there a cessation of fight, there was a relationship that sprang forth after the war was over. James references this nuance of the word peace in James 2:23. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and he was called God's friend.

-Peace with God brings a second benefit; access to God. Bruce says, “the former rebels are not merely forgiven by having their due punishment remitted; they are brought into a place of high favor with God.” The forgiveness isn’t just penal it’s relational. It’s not just that the negative consequences are removed; in addition to that we are connected with God in relationship and have access to Him. Before Christ's death on the cross only the High Priest had access to the presence of God and only one day a year. The presence of God resided in the Holy of Holies which was separated from the rest of the temple and humanity by a HUGE curtain. When Christ died on the cross the curtain was torn from top to bottom signifying that everyone now have access to the presence of God anytime.

-A third benefit is being able to rejoice “in the hope of the glory of God.” What does this mean? First lets talk about the phrase “glory of God”. What does that mean?
The Glory of God is not just the glory or worship He receives from us. In Paul's theology humans were created not just in a dim weak image of God, but we were created with the intention to share partly in the glorious nature of God. (We are not, however, mini-gods!) We lost hope of being able to share in this glory with sin (Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.) but Jesus reinstated this hope. Seeing, being enveloped in, worshiping, and even in some sense sharing in God’s glory is the end for which mankind was created. Glorified bodies and whatnot.
Psalm 84:11 says God will give grace and glory to the righteous. Who are the righteous? Only those whom God declares righteous by faith.

2 Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Hope: Now lets talk about the word “hope”. What is Christian hope? Wishful thinking (Hope it doesn’t rain)? Wanting something highly unlikely (Hope Silva loses his next fight)? Naivety (Like to hope all people are basically good)? No. Christian hope is a future certainty rooted in present reality. Christian hope is more akin to: Because I am getting a degree now, I am certain I will get a better job in the future.

I think Paul’s use of “hope” entails far-off hope (eternity with God) and a close hope (experiencing God’s Kingdom here).

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Rejoice in suffering?
Bruce: In the NT suffering is seen as a normal part of Christian life. But its not just an inevitable, unavoidable reality, it is a "token of true Christianity." Something that produces the truest Christ like nature in people and a marker that God sees those who endure it as worthy of the Kingdom. A chain reaction happens that causes maturity and Christ-likeness.

5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hope does not disappoint. What does this mean? Simple; hope that never comes to realization is disappointing. When you hope for something and it never happens, there is sadness. Saying this hope does not disappoint means these benefits of being justified by faith, though they haven’t been realized yet, are certain. They WILL happen. The believer will not be disappointed or ashamed someday to realize what they had hoped for did not exist.