Romans 5:1-11
5 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. 2 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.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 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.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 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.8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 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. 10 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. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
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Here there is a contrast between God’s condemnation of us and our being friends with God. It’s because of the cross that we can now be God’s friend. What does it mean to be God’s friend, apart from escaping his condemnation? Five things:
1. We are no longer his enemy.
2. We are at peace with God.
3. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with an awareness of God’s love for us.
4. We are in a place of undeserved privilege.
5. We can look forward to sharing God’s glory.
The benefit I long for is the reality of the Holy Spirit filling my heart with God’s love. I also think that if I am to truty take in the reality of being God’s friend, I have to also also acknowledge the reality that before I knew Him I was under His condemnation.