Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

A chain reaction is a series of events that happen as a result of one single event happening to start it off. We see this with domino tiles when they are stacked on end in close proximity, with twists and turns. When the first domino falls, it sets off a chain reaction. We can see it in the firing of a semi-automatic rifle: the trigger is pulled, which sets off a chain reaction of the firing pin being hammered into the shell of the projectile, the gun powder explodes, the projectile fires, and the exerted energy is recycled in the form of gas, and this energy reloads the next round. What Paul is talking about here is also a chain reaction, so to speak. Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross for us, sets it off: we are justified, save from God’s wrath, saved into life with Jesus, and reconciled to God. All of these things happen independent of us. God set it up as a chain reaction. We accept the gift of Jesus sacrifice and the rest of the things happen instantaneously. It’s as if these gifts were waiting for our choice to follow Jesus, to explode into action.

Many in this life spend countless days trying to figure out on their own how to become like God, or communicate with the dead who are in heavenly places, or how to live a longer and more fulfilled life as their own boss. But they fail in the end. However, all of the above themes: power and worldly might (becoming like a god), the resurrection of the dead (communicating with the dead), and a fulfilled life (extending life to be more fulfilled) — were modeled by Jesus in his life on earth. God longs to have us be reconciled with him. God cannot reconcile himself to sinners. Sinners must be reconciled to God through grace. We gain the things we seek in life, our biggest dreams, as gifts once we follow Jesus. They are a chain reaction of blessings God has in store for those who see Him, who seek righteousness.

Thank you, Lord, for this chain reaction leading to reconciliation, that you created, to save me. Fill me with you Word and your Spirit today!