The Way - Day 112 (Romans 5)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Romans 5:1-11
Paul has clearly stated that all are sinners before God and therefore deserving of His punishment (1:18-3:20); however, God has graciously provided the righteousness man needs through Jesus' death on the cross (3:21-31). Paul writes that Jesus was "set forth as a propitiation [appeasement] by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance [mercy] God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:25-26). Simply put, God declares righteous those who have faith in the righteousness provided through Jesus Christ. In case some of his readers were tempted to think they could find righteousness through their own deeds, Paul makes it evident that God had never declared anyone righteous on the basis of their works (4:1-25). To prove his point, Paul pointed to the example of Abraham who "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (4:3).

There is a definite transition in Paul's writing as he now begins to expound on the results of a sinner "having been justified by faith" (5:1a). First of all, "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:1b). This peace implies that we are no longer living in opposition and rebellion against God, but instead enjoying a right standing before Him. Secondly, "we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (5:2). Through Jesus Christ we are freely given the privilege to approach God at any time and no longer need to fear open communication with Him (see also Hebrews 4:16). Next, Paul mentions that we can "glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (5:3-4). Those who have been justified are not exempt from trials, but their new standing before God provides hope to endure these difficult times. Lastly, Paul says that the "love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (5:5). The Holy Spirit now witnesses in our hearts of God's love for us and the hope we have in Him.

Having mentioned the love of God for the believer, Paul reminds his readers about the way God expressed His love for them. He writes, " For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (5:6-8). Even though we were neither a "righteous man" or a "good man," God loved us so much that He was willing to send His righteous Son to provide the righteousness needed for salvation. An even deeper demonstration of God's love rests in the fact that "we have been saved from wrath through Him" (5:9). Jesus Christ experienced all of God's wrath against sin instead of it being taken out on the believing sinner. Although we were the enemies of God, we are now "reconciled [brought back into harmony] to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (5:10). If Jesus died for those who opposed God, those who have been reconciled can be assured that they are secure through His life.

Because of all that God has done for the believing sinner, he can now "rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation" (5:11). It is an amazing thing to know that we are no longer the enemies of God, but rather are now called His children (John 1:12).

Romans 5:12-21
In the first part of Romans 5, Paul had informed his readers about the tremendous benefits of finding righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ (5:1-5). Some of those benefits are that we have peace with God (5:1), access to God through Jesus Christ (5:2), hope during trials (5:3-4), and the assurance of God's love (5:5). Paul goes into a little more detail about God's love by reminding the Christians at Rome that Jesus died for them, even though they had sinned against Him (5:8). Jesus' death would also remove the penalty of sin from those who believe and reconcile them to God (5:9-11; see John 3:36); in other words, a believing sinner is no longer considered the enemy of God (5:10).

Following his words on God's love, Paul goes into greater detail about how the death of one Man, Jesus Christ, could possibly result in the salvation of many. In essence, Paul contrasts the sin of Adam, which brought death, with the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, which brings life. Paul writes, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned..." (5:12). Although Adam and Eve were created perfect, the possibility to sin was present. I'm not sure I have all the answers as to why God would allow that possibility, but I think He did not want Adam and Eve to love Him based on His control, but based on their own choice. Scripture is very clear that when Adam chose to live independently of God and sinned, the entire human race inherited his sinful nature also sentencing them to death. When God speaks of the punishment for sin being death, He has three aspects in mind: physical death (the body dies), spiritual death (separation from God), and eternal death (eternity in the lake of fire). So through Adam's sin, death is certain for all human beings.

Even though there was no specific law from Adam to Moses, all people were still subject to death because they had inherited this sinful nature from Adam (5:13-14); however, Paul begins to reveal the flip side of this whole teaching. "For if by the one man's [Adam's] offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man [Jesus Christ], abounded to many" (5:15). Paul was revealing to his readers that Adam's sin brought death to all, but the grace of God through Jesus Christ would provide the righteousness needed by many. Adam's sin resulted in condemnation, but God's free gift (sending Jesus to die for sin) resulted in justification (being declared righteous). In the next few verses Paul repeats this fact over and over using different words:

"For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous" (5:17-19).

Since Adam's sin affected all people, the righteousness provided through Jesus Christ would also be made available to all. There is a key factor here that we cannot miss. Although forgiveness and righteousness are offered to all people on the basis of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, an individual must "receive" God's grace through faith (5:17; see also John 1:12). Christ's righteousness is not automatically bestowed on everyone making them God's children, but only upon those who receive it.

Dear God, I realize I am under condemnation because I am a sinner, but I thank You for sending Jesus Christ to provide the righteousness I needed in order to be saved from sin and death.