Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification (28)
[Romans 5:8-11]
We are currently contemplating the 9 sub-themes under the overarching topic of "Comprehensive Doctrine of Justification." These sub-themes include (1) The Necessity of Justification, (2) The Originator of Justification, (3) The Foundation of Justification, (4) The Method of Justification, (5) The Universality of Justification, (6) The Purpose of Justification, (7) The Exemplification of Justification, (8) The Results of Justification, and (9) The Confirmation of Justification. Currently, we are focusing on the eighth sub-theme, "The Results of Justification." There are twelve results of justification: (1) Peace with God, (2) Access into grace by faith, (3) Hopeful expectation and joy in the glory of God, (4) Rejoicing in tribulation, (5) Possession of a confident hope, (6) Attainment of a perfected hope through enduring tribulation and patience, (7) Receiving a hope that does not disappoint, (8) God's love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, (9) God's love for us confirmed, (10) Salvation from wrath, (11) Receiving future salvation, and (12) Rejoicing in God. Today, I would like to meditate on the last result, the twelfth one, of justification: "Rejoicing in God."
Romans 5:11 says, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Here, "Not only so" refers to not only the eleven outcomes of righteousness mentioned in Romans 5:1-10 but also the twelfth result that the Apostle Paul addresses. The final result of justification is rejoicing in God. How do we rejoice in God? It is through our Lord Jesus Christ, who reconciled us to God, turning us from enemies into peacemakers (v. 10). Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, bore all our sins on the cross, taking on our punishment, and died to reconcile us to God. Moreover, through His resurrection, He made it possible for us to rejoice in God. The joy we experience in God through Jesus Christ is not something obtainable or present in this world. This joy is extraordinary and beyond any joy we can find in this world. The joy within God is a joy that only those who have received forgiveness of sins and righteousness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can experience. This joy is the greatest joy, unique to those who have been justified by faith. Furthermore, this joy within God cannot be taken away by anything in this world. No matter how much wealth or power one possesses, this joy cannot be taken away. Moreover, no sorrow, worry, pain, or suffering can strip away this joy.
The joy within God is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10b says, "...the joy of the Lord is your strength." Rejoicing in God gives us strength in our physical lives. Psalms 100:1-2 states, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." We are to serve God with joy, singing joyful songs and approaching Him with a glad heart. Indeed, do we have this joy in God? Having received reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and the righteousness that comes with it, we should have this joy as our strength. The lyrics of the hymn “I Have a Friend” express this sentiment: (v. 1) I have a friend whose life is sweet to me, I'm happy in Jesus today, His blood doth keep me clean and make me free, I'm happy in Jesus today. (v. 2) He bore my burdens all upon the tree, I'm happy in Jesus today, His precious life He gave to pardon me, I'm happy in Jesus today. (v. 3) His grace to me grows sweeter ev-'ry day, I'm happy in Jesus today, It helps to keep me from the evil way, I'm happy in Jesus to-day. (chorus) I'm happy in Jesus today, I'm happy in Jesus today; For Jesus goes with me all the way, I'm happy in Jesus today.