Wide Open Spaces
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom 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.”
I have been a Christ follower for almost thirty years and like any journey, my path has been marked and shaped by different seasons, some abundant and some dry, but my relationship with Jesus has been constant and central in my life. It would be difficult for any person to detail a thirty year journey, so we identify various life events to construct a timeline of significant moments that define our lives and our walk with God.
But in addition to events in my life, certain verses and passages in the Bible have had a significant impact on my walk with God; they have shaped and weathered my path. That on the day I read or heard them, the Holy Spirit changed my life from that point forward. And while seemingly nothing around me had changed, everything inside me would be different from that point forward.
Romans 5:1-2 is one such passage. I heard a teaching on these verses coupled with the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery found in John 8. In this teaching, the speaker talks of Jesus’ grace toward this woman. She was standing in the middle of this place alone with Jesus. Just moments before she was surrounded by those who would condemn her. Jesus had just said “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone,” and those who had accused her began to leave one by one until finally she was alone with Jesus.
I think it is interesting that this woman’s sin was adultery because among women it seems to be the worst sin a woman could commit. There is a lot of shame associated with this sin: society shames the adulteress and the adulteress is ashamed of herself. Shame is defined as “the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, etc. done by oneself.” Have you looked back at your sin and felt pain? Maybe even embarrassment? Maybe you have not committed adultery, but I think we can still easily identify with this woman. We have all had moments where our sinful behavior fills us with shame: hurtful words spoken in anger, a lie told, a truth omitted, foolish behavior, unwise decisions, whatever it may be. How would you feel if your most shameful moments were exposed in public? How would you feel standing alone in front of Jesus?
The truth is, we have all sinned and we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And equally true, we are all present in front of Jesus. So then, how does Jesus view us? How did he respond to the woman before him?
So there she found herself, in the middle of a place with only Jesus. If anyone could throw a stone, it would be Jesus. He would have every right and authority to throw the stone at her. And at us. For Jesus, who in every respect had been tempted as we are, was sinless (Hebrews 4:15). I don’t know about you, but somehow it doesn’t seem right that we can come in front of someone perfect and not feel shame. And we’d fully expect and understand, if that same person judged and condemned us. We deserve it.
But here is the beautiful part of the story. Jesus did not throw a stone. He asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you.” Jesus declared (John 8:10-11).
Read that again: Jesus said “then neither do I condemn you.”
Jesus, understanding your weakness and your humanity, does not condemn you. He does not accuse you. Satan is the one who goes around accusing, shaming, and condemning. Sweet friend, Jesus does not. Why then, after we confess our sin, repent, and turn from that sin, do we still feel the lingering effects of shame? I believe the enemy wants you to believe that you are still surrounded by accusers. He wants to keep you in a place where you are looking down, ashamed. But the truth you need to understand is that there is no sin too grave or too shameful that Jesus does not look at you and say “Then neither do I condemn you.” The same grace that was extended to this woman, an adulteress, the same grace that was extended to Peter after he denied Jesus three times, the same grace that was extended to Saul after he murdered Christians, is the same grace that Jesus extends to you and to me. Romans 8:1 says “now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” When we get a revelation of this truth, it transforms us.
Now let’s look and see how this expression of grace is also beautifully explained in Romans 5:1-2.
Therefore, having been justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
It is our faith in Jesus, our belief that His sacrifice justifies us before God, that we are no longer separate from God.
…through whom we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand.
Another translation states “Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege.
Now, instead of being in the middle of place once filled with accusers, Jesus takes the sinner to a place of grace. A place where no one condemns her. A place where He gives her a robe of righteousness. There is peace in this place. There is joy in this place. And sweet friend, this is where our spirit dwells when we give our hearts to Christ.
When I read this verse, I always picture a sun-filled meadow that is marked by a stillness and calm. A place where my soul is instantly at rest. A haven where security, peace, and joy are the climate. The Message translations says “we find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”
Previously, my concept of grace was that it was something that God extends to us. And it is. But, if you look closely at the verse in Romans 5, grace is a location, a standing, a position. Consider also how the writer of Hebrews says “let us come boldly into the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Grace is a place where we stand before Christ, blameless and faultless. Not because we are, not because we’ve done anything to make ourselves right, but because Jesus paid our debt. Our standing with God has been made right through the work of the cross.
There is nothing we can do to earn a spot in this place of privilege. It is only by grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:5). Equally, there is nothing we can do that Jesus’ blood cannot make right. And because it is through His grace we have been given a place, we cannot lose it. Our right standing is eternal. We are forever positioned in this place of grace.
What has Christ done for me? He gave His life so that I might be right with God. He has guaranteed me eternal life simply by placing my faith in Him. He has removed the weight of sin and condemnation by extending mercy and grace to me. I no longer have to live with the shame of my past sins. He has forgiven me of them and washed me clean. It is no wonder we are “standing tall and shouting our praise” in this meadow called grace.
But the story doesn’t end there. Jesus tells the woman “Go and sin no more.” Grace enables us to live a life forgiven of our past sins, but also equipped to live a pure and holy life. Romans 8 goes on to tell us “And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Freedom reigns in this place.
