DAILY EXPLORATION
Day 1: God’s grace gives us hope.
Read Romans 5:1-2, highlighting peace, grace, and hope.
Paul reminded the Romans that salvation was all the result of God’s grace in their lives. They
had no standing of their own, but they stood in the unmerited favor that God poured out on
those who lived by faith. In addition, this grace—and the access it provides—gives individuals
confidence in the hope of the glory of God. Previously, Paul had noted that humanity fell short
of God’s glory (3:23). Now, however, those who have been justified reflect God’s glory and find
hope for this life and the next.
What is the relationship between peace and hope? How do they complement
each other?
Day 2: Our hope is rooted in God’s love.
Read Romans 5:3-5, identifying the process from affliction to hope.
Believers can rejoice in affliction because they recognize the hand of God at work in those
hard times. This is not simply keeping a stiff upper lip and making lemonade out of lemons.
Affliction, Paul noted, creates endurance. Athletes put stress on their bodies through exercise
and training. That work is hard but produces more strength and endurance for the competition
to come. The same is true with our afflictions. The hard times we experience build spiritual
muscle that helps us endure and move forward. Endurance produces character. The Greek
term
translated character carries the idea of something being proven through a trial or hardship.
Afflictions squeeze our lives and reveal ungodly actions and attitudes. As we endure, God
refines those rough edges and we become more like the people God created us to be. Then our
renewed character brings us full circle, back to the hope we have in Christ. This is not pie-in the
sky optimism. It is a deeper sense of peace and trust that God has a plan for our present
and our future. Focusing on disappointments can mar our character and produce despair. But
the hope God produces in our lives through affliction, endurance, and character does not fall
into that category. It never disappoints. It always meets us right where we are with exactly what
we need. That’s because it is rooted in God’s love. When we come to Him in faith, we move
from being the objects of His anger and wrath to being the recipients of His love. Paul wrote
that God pours out His love on us, completely covering us. Our afflictions lead to hope, which
gives us a keener sense of His love for us. God’s love is poured out on us through the work of
the Holy Spirit. In any circumstance, the Spirit will guide and direct us in the right way, helping
us endure hard times and grow stronger in our faith.
Consider a difficult time in your life. How did that process grow your faith?
Day 3: God saved us at just the right time.
Read Romans 5:6, understanding what Christ did for us.
Sin required the penalty of death. Without divine intervention, we would be forced to pay
that price ourselves—both in this world and throughout eternity in hell. But as He did for
Isaac in Moriah (Gen. 22:1-19), God provided a substitute at the right time. Paul made a
similar comment in Galatians 4:4-5. The relative peace of the Roman Empire, combined with
a common language (Greek) and a general curiosity about religious ideas, created a perfect
historical environment for the Messiah’s arrival. But it was also the perfect time because
humanity was helpless.
In what ways are you helpless without faith in Jesus?
Day 4: The cross is proof of God’s love for us.
Read Romans 5:7-8, considering the sacrifice God made through Jesus.
A few heroes might voluntarily suffer for someone they care about, but who would endure pain
to help an enemy? That’s exactly what God did. God’s radical commitment to our salvation can
be traced to one motivation: his own love for us. He demonstrated that when Jesus died on
the cross.
Sometimes, people are tempted to think they have to “get right” before God will accept them.
But Paul was clear: We don’t have to become good enough; we can’t become good enough.
Instead, God took the first step while we were still at war with Him. Even though we were still
sinners living under His wrath, Christ died for us.
The benefits of justification are great. But the cost was great as well. We must never forget that
sacrifice. If we ever wonder about God’s love for us, the cross should be all the proof we need.
How does knowing the depth of God’s sacrifice for you affect your feelings
toward Him?
Day 5: God has given us genuine joy.
Read Romans 5:9-11, underlining every use of reconciled.
Paul reminded the Romans that Jesus’ death was only part of the
story. Jesus also rose from the dead. Because He is alive, our lives
can be different. Salvation has both “now” and “later” aspects that
reach into eternity. We are saved from the consequences of our sins
by His death. But we are saved to walk in holiness through His power
working in us. God’s work on our behalf through the death and
resurrection of Christ is a lot to take in. He has done so much and
provided so much. We can never repay His grace and love. But we
can live differently. We can live out our right relationship with Him
each day for the world to see. Salvation does not make us perfect.
Christians still sin and miss the mark of God’s design. But that
does not change our standing. Christ is still our substitute, and we
are still righteous in God’s eyes. That, Paul said, is reason to rejoice.
As we demonstrate the genuine joy God has given us, unbelievers
will take notice and be interested in learning more. Joy makes our
witness to the world much more effective.
Along with the benefits gained through faith in Jesus, what
responsibilities do you also now carry?