JUSTIFICATION BRINGS US FROM EXILE TO
ACCESS

ROMANS 5:1–5

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

(Romans 5:1–2).

In our daily studies we now return to Romans and the benefits of justification by faith. The first benefit mentioned in Romans 5 is peace with God. The warfare against God is ended, and we live in an eternal peace treaty with our Maker. But that is not all.

Exile from God

When God drove Adam and Eve out of Paradise man could no longer have immediate access into God’s special presence. Of course, God is omnipresent, and in a certain sense the Old Testament believers had access to God, but never the full access Adam might have enjoyed.

In both the tabernacle and the temple, for instance, there was an inner sanctuary called the Holy of Holies. In the old covenant nobody was allowed to enter there except the high priest, and then just once a year. Only after elaborate ritual preparations (Leviticus 16) and in fear and trembling could the high priest enter the throne room of God. People could come near to the tabernacle and temple, but they were not given access to God’s throne.

Access to God

There was a heavy veil between the Holy of Holies and the rest of the temple, that marked off the place beyond which men dared not go. Throughout the old covenant it reminded men that they were in exile. At the hour of the death of Christ, however, the veil was “torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). That which had been the barrier between God and man was removed. The sin of man was now atoned for, and those who are justified are invited into the very throne room of God.

We who are in Christ have access by the grace of God to come before the face of God.

CORAM DEO

As a new covenant believer, do you make ample use of your tremendous access to God’s throne, a fullness denied the saints of old? How many of us fail to use this great blessing? Why not take advantage of that privilege right now and draw near to God in prayer? The former limits are dispelled; the peace of God now permits access and accompanies you into His presence.

For further study: Ephesians 2:11–22; 3:4–12

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