Access…Into Grace

Access…Into Grace

…through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:2-4

Christ is the Key to the state of grace into which the justified enter by faith. This fills us with rejoicing because the result of it is a certain hope that we will behold the Glory of God. This stands upon several pillars. Justification grants to us imputed righteousness which means that God regards us as being as righteous in a legal sense, as Christ Himself. If He is at peace with Christ, He is at peace with us who are in Christ. Faith brings us into this state of grace by Christ, which leads us to this hope. Because we have peace with God, the righteousness of Christ, and this certain hope of seeing the Glory of God, we have every reason to rejoice. This is a rejoicing which transcends the hardship of this life. It enables us to face things and not only survive them, but thrive upon every lesson we learn from them. We come to understand, most often by degrees, that these tribulations, of which Paul speaks in the next verse, are the practical means by which God is working in us perseverance which leads to character, which leads to hope. The same Providential Plan of God works together everything that respects us in every way under all circumstances, in all conditions for all our days and for all eternity. Christ is the Key, and Christ the Door, and through Him is the way to endless possibilities.

Our Gracious, Saving God,
we rejoice that through Christ we have access into Your Very Presence.
We praise You, that You will bring us unto perfection,
that we might imitate the very Character of Christ.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning