The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Ten

"Undeserved Privilege"

Romans 5:1-11 (NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
   We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
   When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 
   And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.


"Peace on earth, goodwill towards men..." This time of year we often hear this scripture sung in choirs, read on cards and spoken in church. It is one of the most misquoted verses ever read. When the angels proclaimed the birth of the Christ Child so many years ago, they weren't proclaiming peace like the world defines peace. The peace of Christ is the peace found when we are made right with God. There is no peace without a good relationship with God. Without Him, we are not a peace, but turmoil.

Luke 2:14 (NLT)  “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.

Like the verse says, "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory." This relationship with God is undeserved. It is a true privilege to be able to approach the God of the universe without fear. We are welcomed into His presence because of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:18 (NLT) Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.


Ephesians 3:12 (NLT) Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

With the knowledge that we can approach and talk to the highest authority and power ever, peace comes. He knows all things and how they fit together. He understands the puzzling. He works out all the details to the unsolvable. He alone can fix the unfixable. The privilege to even enter His throne room in prayer is beyond all reason. What Christ did for us is really phenomenal. Do you know anyone who would or even could do that for you other than Jesus? Placing our full faith in Jesus gives us hope and the will to persevere through life's trials.

Look at this equation that only belongs to those in Christ:

Problems/trials = endurance = character = hope

With Jesus we know that the problems and trials of this life, when persevered with Him, develops within each of us the endurance we need. As our endurance through faith grows our character builds up and hope is the result. The more and more we practice trusting Jesus the more and more our faith and character grows.

Even though we aren't free from sin, Christ Jesus chose to die for us. He paid the debt we owed to God for going against His will. We were and are powerless on our own to overcome sin. He overcame it for us. His love for us is true and pure. He died for the ungodly to raise us up to holiness in God's sight.

1 Peter 3:18 (NLT) Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

He died to bring you and me "safely home." We should greatly rejoice in this knowledge. Why do we forget the enormity of what Christ has done? Why do we wrap His gift to us back up with the pretty paper of the Christmas season? This gift should be unwrapped and used. It should be used to approach the Living God and commune with Him.

Scripture tells us we were enemies of God. Did you know that? Without Jesus we were at war with God and the truth is we were facing His wrath and eventual destruction. But, because of His great love for us He made a way to be His friends and allies through Jesus. In fact, we are called children of God when we accept Christ's gift of salvation.

During this Christmas season let's reflect on His true peace on earth. In our daily lives we have the undeserved privilege to His peace. What will your response be? 

"He is our peace who has broken down every wall"