By Evangelist John BJ Hall
Did you know that there are seven things we have that the world doesn’t have? These are things that we need to be sharing with those around us.
These seven things are found in the fifth chapter of Romans verses one through 10. If you don’t have these seven things then you don’t have Christ or His Salvation.
The first thing that we have is peace with God. Romans 5:1 (NASB) “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” The word justified can be best understood as “Just (as) if I’d” never sinned. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross He paid the price for our sins making us as if we’d never sinned in God’s eyes. As a result we have peace with God. Man has been at war with God since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Christ came to put an end to that war.
Second we have access to God by faith. The first part of verse two says, Romans 5:2 (NASB) “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;…” The writer of Hebrews said, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) And he said,
“Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB77)
Third, we have hope. The last part of verse 2 says, “and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” Hebrews 11:1 (NASB77) “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:19 (NASB77) “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.” The great old hymn “Solid Rock” has it right when it says, “When He shall come with trumpet sound. Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”
Fourth, we have tribulation. “What is good about tribulation?”, you might ask. Romans 5:3 (NASB77) “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;” In other words it brings good from bad. Romans 8:28 (NASB77) “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Fifth, we have the love of God. Romans 5:5 (NASB77) “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” The old hymn says, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen could ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; … Oh love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure, The saints’ and angels’ song.”
Sixth, we have been saved from wrath. Romans 5:9 (NASB77) “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” Paul had more to say about that. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NASB77) “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” He is talking about the “Day of the Lord” here. I thank my God that I am not reserved to the day of His wrath on this earth. One day the trumpet will sound and we shall meat him in the air. We will be caught away, and be with Him in heaven.
Finally, we have been reconciled to God. Romans 5:10 (NASB77) 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Reconcile is an accounting term, it means balanced. You reconcile one side of the books with the other. You’ve balanced your checkbook. It is also a relationship word. When two people are at odds with one another, they need to reconcile, bring their relationship back into balance. The only one who can reconcile us with God is the Man, Christ Jesus.
Do you have these seven things in your life. If not, they can be yours today. Just trust in Him with your heart, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and you will be saved.