In Hope Of The Glory

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

This verse says that we have been justified by faith and therefore have peace with God. It is so comforting to know that justification is a finished work, not something that we have to daily strive for. There would not be very much confidence in our lives if we had to daily prove our worthiness to be justified. Many people have a hard time accepting this truth, they just can’t believe that they don’t have to do something to earn it. Well, the truth of the matter is that you cannot earn it. It is totally out of the reach of our ability. Justification is based on the completed work of Jesus and is appropriated by faith. By justification, the Bible means that it is as though we had never committed a single sin, not even one wrong deed or thought.

I believe we all know by now, that Biblical hope is not the same as wishful thinking. Biblical hope is the confident assurance that what we are believing for, we have. Paul spoke of the hope that is in us of eternal life. That does not mean, of course, that he hopes he gets it, it means that he is confident of his future because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross. It means that he is confident that his sins are forgiven and that he has the present possession of life eternal. As the popular chorus says, some trust in chariots, but my hope is in the Lord.

Having said all of this, we now can see that the basis of all our blessing is all wrapped up in the glory of God. As we receive and release His glory, all of our needs are met. It is in His glory that we get the manifestation of His presence, His power and His provision. Therefore, rejoice in hope of the glory of God.