Romans 5
-Let’s now take a look at the beautiful truths of God’s
demonstrated grace over the sins of mankind in this fifth chapter of Romans
that is crucial for our understanding for forgiveness. Paul begins again with
the fact that justification by faith is what saves us. This justification (a
legal term declaring the guilty innocent and completely pardoned) gives us
peace with God through the work of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). This grace allows
us to stand and we can rejoice continually in the hope of this magnificent
glory of God (Romans 5:2). This hope endures all things and allows us to
rejoice even if life’s difficulties. For we can “rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s
love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given
to us (Romans 5:3-5).” *Application* The Christian has hope, the world
ultimately does not. Our belief in the Son of God and His work saves us from
everything this messed up world can bring at us. Through Him we have complete
and assured VICTORY!!!!
-Paul goes on to reflect on the state of the unregenerate
before Christ comes in to do His saving work. The phrase, “While we were still
sinners (Romans 5:8),” is important because it totally abandons the need for us
to falsely think we did anything to deserve this mercy of the LORD. In other
words, the author says that “While we were still weak (Romans 5:6),” Christ
died for us, the ungodly and dysfunctional fallen. This happened at the right
time, which in another place is called the fullness of time (pleroma, Galatians 4:4). The coming of Christ during the Roman
era was the perfect, God-ordained, moment in history for His plans and His
purposes. He never makes mistakes and orchestrated these events for His glory and
the redemption of mankind to anyone who chooses to believe. The enemies of God
can now be reconciled (reconnected, made right again) by the death of His Son.
This reconciliation saves us by His resurrected and eternal life (Romans 5:10)!
This gives us everlasting joy in our Lord Jesus Christ deserving of our
continual praise and devotion (Romans 5:11)! *Application* This is the best
news we’ve ever heard!!!! God died in our place that both He and us may life
eternally starting at our moment of belief! We don’t have to wait for the
afterlife to start celebrating. Our joy is now and should be absolutely
contagious to those around us. We are the aroma of Christ (Genesis 8:21, 2
Corinthians 2:14-15)!
-Paul now develops the doctrine of the depravity of man
through the sin of one man, Adam (Romans 5:12-21). Adam is contrasted by the
Savior, Jesus Christ, and His work to make all alive spiritually who will trust
in Him through His death, burial, and resurrection (the atoning work). This is
clearly stated as “a free gift,” which negates the need for any boasting on our
behalf as to earning salvation (Romans 5:15-17, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31,
Ephesians 2:8-9). Notice the play on obedience in verse 19 as well. Whereas
mankind proved disobedient resulting in the making sin, the Son’s obedience
makes righteous those who will turn in faith to the Living Sacrifice. The Law
came in to increase the trespass (in other words, give us a knowledge of what
we do wrong), but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (overflowed)
leading to life eternally in righteousness through
Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:20-21). *Application* If you are a believer and
have been one for some time, pause a few moments and re-reflect on God’s
faithful provision and abundant life that He has freely given to you out of His
grace and mercy. If you have never trusted the Savior, today is your
opportunity for new life in Christ and forgiveness of all sin. Call on Him today! Don’t delay! A delay is a nay because
of the uncertainty of time. The gospel is simple and free, though it will cost
you your life. No worries, it is the best kind of life one could ever want.
Remember we can have peace (Romans 5:1)!
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