Romans 5:11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Jesus’ resurrection enables us to be reconciled to God. Reconciliation is a significant metaphor that describes the renewed relationship between God and humanity that comes about because of Jesus Christ. Two key events stand behind the need for reconciliation. The first one Paul will get into in the following verses. It came about when Adam and Eve sinned against God in the garden of Eden. Before eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve used to walk in the garden with God in intimate and unashamed fellowship. There was nothing in between them. We cannot fully comprehend the depth of this relationship. It is what we have been created for. But sin got in the way. Adam and Eve felt shamed because of their sin, and so they hid and put leaves over themselves. They were embarrassed for their guilt. The other key event was the result of this for the human race. Adam represents the whole human race. We each follow in his footsteps and do the same rebellion and disobedience to God. The result is separation and alienation from God. The fellowship we could have is ruined by our sin and shame. We even become God’s enemies in rebellion. The only way to bring the fellowship and intimacy back is through the love of God shed in our hearts and experienced in faith through Jesus Christ. To “rejoice” can also mean to boast and to have confidence in. We can trust God’s promises about Jesus Christ made in the Bible. Paul is coming to a summary and key turning point with this verse. He will go on in the rest of the chapter to explain just how significant what Jesus did on the cross and resurrection is for our having a new life now and hope for the future.
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