Trinity Sunday Romans 5:1-5

Justified…for what?

This passage from Romans 5 sits at the heart of the Protestant doctrine of justification: Paul’s statement that “we are justified by faith” is as clear as we could ask for! The fact that Christ justifies us, dying in our place as a sinless man, taking our own sin and punishment and giving us the righteousness he receives from God the Father is a beautiful thing. 

But too often, this is where we leave the story. For people who don’t know God, I can understand how it might seem a little empty. Why should you be worried about whether you’re on good terms with a God who you don’t think exists? And what is the point of being “justified,” being made right, with God if it just means getting up early to go to church on Sunday…

1. When you think of ‘justification by faith,’ do you think of this primarily as a gift for you, or a gift for others?

2. When Paul talks about suffering in Romans 5, what do you think he has in mind?

3. In what ways have you experienced “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1)?

4. What difference does this peace make when we experience…