Restored Fellowship
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.
Romans 5:1-2 (CSB)
Our fellowship with the Lord is broken due to the presence of sin and the fallen nature of humanity. At the same time, our relationships with others also experience tension and struggle because of sin. However, a relationship with Jesus Christ offers restoration in our fellowship with the Lord and enables us to connect with others. The apostle Paul highlights two characteristics of the restored fellowship with the Lord in Romans 5.
PEACE WITH GOD
As sinners separated from the Lord, we live as enemies destined for the eternal wrath of God. Yet, in Christ, we receive the offer of restored fellowship with the Lord. As enemies, we are at odds with Him, but in Christ, we gain the new self, and our fellowship with the Lord is renewed. This restored fellowship means that we are now at peace with God. The tension no longer exists; we are no longer enemies but rather sons and daughters. Thus, in Christ, our identity changes.
ACCESS TO GOD
The restored fellowship with the Lord brings a restoration of access to Him. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve could communicate with the Lord openly and approach Him intimately. Sin destroyed that. However, the new self that comes in Christ allows for the renewal of this fellowship. This restoration enables us to have access to the Lord once again. As sons and daughters of the Lord, we gain the ability to approach Him intimately because the fellowship that sin disrupted is restored. Therefore, as children of God, we are individuals granted access before God's throne as His creation and children.
FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS
The Bible is clear that sin broke our relationship with the Lord and also with others. The presence of war, arguments, and separation in this world results from our broken fellowship with one another due to sin. In Christ, we gain the ability to be a people united in Him. This does not eliminate moments of pain and struggle, but it provides the foundation for genuine fellowship that holds us together.
QUESTIONS
How does the restored man or woman gain access to the Lord that the unrestored individual lacks?
How can we better focus on the Lord as the one who holds all things together in our relationship with others when moments of struggle, pain, and anger appear?
