There is a rhythm in the Passover meal that is echoed in the Romans. The Passover meal is one of remembrance and hope. It recalls the slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt and God’s miraculous grace that led them to freedom. Likewise, Romans begins by reminding us of God’s wrath and that we are all slaves to sin. It also declares and celebrates the freedom we have in Christ.
Let’s pick things up at Romans 5. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:1–6, CSB)
We have been justified by faith. We are at peace with God. We stand in grace. We boast in the hope of the glory of God and in our afflictions, which ultimately increases our hope. God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Not because of what we have done, but because at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly – for us.
For those in Christ, this is our life, our being, our joy. We stand humbly in grace. Underserved, not purchased or owned by ourselves, but by the blood of Christ. We do not boast, lift up, or show off what we can do. We boast about what Christ has done and is doing when life is smooth or difficult. We know that even our afflictions increase endurance, proving our character and bringing even more hope. But that arc from affliction to hope is not our doing; it is God’s grace and love working in us.
Application: Remember your chains. Recall the deep pit of sin you were trapped in and the heat of God’s wrath you deserved. Boast about the grace and love of God. Stand in His grace and hope in His glory. Hope no matter what because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts.
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