Romans 5:11

And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Despite the awesome fact of God's wrathful vengeance against sin, and the terrible judgment that awaits wicked people, the thought of God is a matter of rejoicing for Christians, because God has given them reconciliation in Christ. Hodge assures us that the true meaning of this verse is that,

According to the majority of the commentators, we shall not only be ultimately saved, but we now glory in God.[25]

In the matter of glowing, therefore, these eleven verses have come full cycle, as seen by a glance at Romans 5:2. The Christian life is a joyful life, not only because of the ultimate happiness in heaven, but because of present blessings as well; and not the least of present blessings is reconciliation through Jesus Christ. The ransomed soul is no longer at war with its Creator, no longer terrified at the very thought of a righteous, sin-punishing God, but a member of the Father's own family.

Note: The KJV translated "atonement" for "reconciliation"; but the thought is very similar, the atonement being, in fact, the true basis of the reconciliation. It is clear enough in these first eleven verses that Paul was justifying, through his masterful and logical reasonings, a different attitude toward God, an attitude of regarding him in love and thanksgiving, rather than an attitude of hatred and rebellion which marked the attitude of the wicked in pre-Christian ages. Paul attempted to bring about that change through explaining the righteous character of God, with special emphasis upon the love he had for his human creation.