When we belong to the Church, and believe in God, we recieve the privaleges of being with God.
1.) Peace with God
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"(Romans 5:1)
These privileges are found in the fifth chapter of the Book of Romans. This opening verse starts with the word, "Therefore." In other words, it ties this verse into what Paul has been writing about in chapter four, namely, our Justification with God. We should understand that the privileges we will be examining are contingent upon whether or not we are justified with God. This very first word in the very first verse presumes that the reader is, in fact, justified with God. As used in the Bible, justification means to "be declared righteous." It doesn't mean that we are not sinners, it just means that God has now declared that we are righteous. This only happens when we put our faith in Jesus and become saved. So, this is the context in which these privileges are given.
It is through this relationship with Jesus Christ that we have peace with God. The natural position of a person is that they are in opposition to God. It does not matter if a person considers themself in opposition to God or if they actively, consciously resist God, we are all enemies of God apart from Jesus Christ. When we are justified by faith, we are now at peace with God. The thing keeping us seperate from God, our sin, has now been dealt with. There is nothing coming between us now.
2.) Access to God
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2)
The "by whom" is "by Jesus." Again, through this relationship with Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, we have access to God's Grace. Really, we have access to God Himself. Sadly, there are a lot of people who pray to God that do not have this access through Jesus. Jesus said that the only way to the Father was through Him (John 14:6). There is no other door to go through but the One who is the Door. Anyone can pray to God to receive Salvation, but that is the only prayer that God will listen to from someone who has not received Jesus. The ability to speak directly to God is a sacred privilege only available through the access Jesus gives us.
3.) Joy in hope of the glory of God
This privilege is also lised in verse 2. As members of God's family, we have something to hope in. We have a future. Our hope is in the only One who really can give hope, nothing else can provide hope with certainty. When our hope is in God, it is not mere wishful thinking, when God promises, it WILL happen!
If you want to find out more about belonging to God and his Church, please contact Richard Vialoux, Priest in Charge, AGAMD or click here to return to the main site.
Text taken and adapted from http://www.reasonofthehope.com