… ² through whom [our Lord Jesus Christ] also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Doxology follows theology. All that has been said to this point leads us to join the apostle Paul and exult over this great truth. Because we are justified through faith in Christ, we finally have peace with our Creator and hope for our future. Praise God! Sometimes in the study of God we can’t see the forest for the trees, to use an old cliché. At other times, we can’t see the trees for the forest. In other words we focus on either the details or we focus on the big picture of God’s message, but fail to do both. Paul, however, could summarize, as he does in this passage, where he connects justification with faith, grace and hope. And he could divide out important details of doctrine, as he has done with justification. The result is always the same: rejoice over the forest and the trees, the summaries of truth and the details.

This doctrine of justification is all connected with “the Lord Jesus Christ.” At times the second Person of the Trinity is referred to simply as Jesus; sometimes we see Him as Friend (John 15:15 where He calls His disciples friends, and we would see this as reciprocal) or Brother (Hebrews 2:11). But most often Paul refers to Him by His full title, “the Lord Jesus Christ” – 63 times and in every one of his letters multiple times. (Interestingly, this full title is never used in the book of Hebrews, which would be difficult to explain if, as some think, Paul was the author of the letter). Paul had the highest respect for his Master, and we would do well to follow His example.

Returning to “the forest,” one can readily see the connection between the peace we now have with our Creator (vs. 1) and hope. Though we “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom 6:23), we now have hope of that glory, which means we no longer need fear God’s judgment and condemnation. We are no longer separated from His glory, and when we leave this fallen world, we will be with the God of glory forever. That is the “hope of glory.” Someone has described hope as expectancy with desire. It is not just wishful thinking. In hope, we desire to be with God in glory, and we fully expect that we will be with God in glory.

Now grace is this: we are justified (and have peace and hope) not because of anything we have done, but because of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that is just the beginning of God’s grace!

Lord, if justification through Jesus Christ is the introduction to Your grace, I am looking forward expectantly to growing in that grace.