Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“Much more, then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Romans 5:9
There is something much more than being justified by the blood of Christ, and that is being saved from wrath by him. In other words, it is greater to be saved from the coming wrath than it is to be justified. What good is it if we are justified, but in the end, we are not saved from wrath because our lives have not pleased God? We must be justified, of course, in order to have the hope of being saved in the end, but justification only gives us the hope of salvation; it is not salvation itself. That’s what makes salvation greater than justification.
It is the same with reconciliation.
“For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Romans 5:10
Being saved by Christ from the coming wrath of God against sin is also “much more” than being reconciled to God. Just as with justification, we must be reconciled to God in order to have the hope of being saved in the end, but reconciliation, like justification, gives us the hope of salvation; it is not salvation itself. That’s what makes salvation greater than reconciliation.
Being counted worthy of salvation in the Final Judgment will be greater than anything we may experience in Christ in this life, whether it be justification, reconciliation, gifts of the Spirit, visions, revelations, anointings, or anything else. For Christ to judge us worthy of salvation at the end of this age, to hear the Lord say to us on the Day of Judgment, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” will be very “much more” than anything in this life could possibly be.