Rejoicing In God

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 

Romans 5:10-11 

There is an old hymn which begins, ‘To God be the glory. Great things He has done. So loved He the world that He gave us His Son.’ Paul is articulating that sentiment in our text. What we have in justification is reconciliation with God and because we do, we rejoice in God. Our rejoicing in God is, ‘Through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Thus, Christ is at the center of this rejoicing. Paul never shifts from putting Christ front and center. In that, he reflects what is the core business of believers. Christ said to Peter, ‘Follow me.’ In following Christ, Peter would go everywhere preaching Christ. Paul would go far and wide over the ancient world. He would determine not to know anything among his audience except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. These followers of Christ consistently rejoiced in God and did so through Christ. He is the core of the message and has a place in every discussion we have. We want to know God. We want to experience the most spiritual of relationships. We rejoice in all He has done, is doing, and shall do. All of it is related to the Person and work of Christ. Thus, as we read Paul in every context, he will always bring Christ to every subject. If he did, especially as we see it in his writings, we should also. We rejoice in God, through Christ, and because we do, we follow them who have made much of Him. 

Our Glorious, Living God, 
we rejoice in Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith. 
We praise You that He is the one true Mediator  
between God and man. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning