Romans 5
So God is very very angry with my sin. And there is nothing I can do about it myself. So dwell today in the wondrous truths of Chapter 5… This is how to live as a Christian.
This chapter is all about grace. GRACE can be remembered as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense” and is the sure and certain hope that all Christians can rest in. 5:12-21 explain grace for us. Adam went against God’s command to him (Genesis 3), and in doing he set the pattern of sin that is inherent in all human being since him (Romans 5:14c). The exception to this rule was Jesus Christ, whose sinlessness allowed him to pay the penalty for the trespasses of many (all of us) and bestow this payment upon us (all of us) as a gift (5: 15-16,19). Because of God’s love for us (5:8).
If we receive this gift from God we will be justified (5:16), that is given a status with God as if we have never sinned. This is righteousness, that we are considered right with a pure and holy God who cannot endure any sin at all. And gives us eternal life (5:1-2, 17-19). Amazing!
This past justification and future glory are guaranteed if we are Christians (5:1-2), but this will also be tied up with present suffering – and the challenge of this chapter is to be joyful in that inevitable suffering (5:3). Suffering makes us more Christlike, and grows in us that hope that will never disappoint us – that which comes from the Holy Spirit (5:3-5). How has suffering made you more Christ-like and grown his hope in you? Pray for that to continue.
(friend of Christ Church)
(friend of Christ Church)