Lesson 11 – Romans Chapter 5:1-9
Rom. 5:1
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
We ended chapter 4 by saying; Jesus’ resurrection brought us justification (just as if we didn’t sin, made brand new) before God, because the Resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
In the Book of Romans, the word “therefore” appears about 26 times depending on what translation you use.
Here in verse 1, Paul says “therefore” to direct us to consider what we just learned about the faith of Abraham, and that if we share in that same faith, God sees us as His righteous children. To be seen by God as righteous, means that you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and that through His blood you are justified.
Rom. 5:9
“And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” (NLT)
To be “made right” is another way to describe justification, which is the process by which we as sinners, are made acceptable before God.
Justification is God’s declaration, that the demands of His Law have been fulfilled in the righteousness of His Son.
II Cor. 5:19a
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.” (NLT)
Although Jesus has paid the price for our justification, it is through our faith that He is received and His righteousness is experienced and enjoyed by us.
As a result of us being justified, we now have peace with God… and this all took place because of what Jesus has done for us.
To say that we now have peace with God, means that there was a time when we were at odds with God. Before a person enters into a right relationship with God, each one of us were considered His enemy.
Sin separates us from God, and sets us against God:
Col. 1:21
“This includes you who were once far away from God. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions.” (NLT)
Rom. 5:10 “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son.” (NLT)
It’s only logical, that if you “don’t” belong to God… who do you belong to? That would be satan, and satan is God’s greatest enemy.
I believe there are many people in the world who don’t even realize that they are an enemy of God. This is why it is so important for us to reach others for Christ… remember the time is short.
By Paul declaring that we now have peace with God through Jesus… enjoy it, take it in, and realize that there’s no reason for us to feel any guilt or shame, you are a friend of God. Your sins have been forgiven; you don’t have to do anything more (you couldn’t even if you wanted to) for your salvation.
God is the ultimate “friend with benefits.” You can approach God’s Throne Room any time you want to. In fact, He wants you to talk to Him all the time. Remember to always do this with awe and respect.
Rom. 5:2
“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (NLT)
Putting our faith in Jesus transforms us from “enemy” status to “friend” status, where we have privileges that the “world” can never enjoy.
Privileges of being in God’s “grace”:
Phil. 4:6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)
• We can pray to God and know that He hears our every prayer.
• Having a peace within you… knowing that you’re in God and He is in you.
Rom. 8:1
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
• By your faith and God’s grace, you will spend eternity with Him in heaven. You will not face God’s judgment.
I Thess. 4:16-17
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (NKJV)
• By God’s grace, we have the wonderful hope of the Resurrection from the grave, or being part of the Rapture, where we will meet Jesus in the clouds and be with Him forever.
Rom. 8:23
“And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. (NLT)
• By God’s grace, you will receive a new glorified body… no more pain or suffering, no more disease, no more sin, no more death.
Rev. 2:25-26 “But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—” (NKJV)
• Because of God’s grace, we will rule and reign with Jesus for a thousand years.
Rom. 5:3-4
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (NLT)
“And not only that.”
Some might say, “Hold on, I didn’t sign up for problems and tribulations, I thought this was going to be smooth sailing once I received Jesus.”
That just doesn’t hold true according to the Bible, those who think that way come from some kind of prosperity gospel, and it is a false teaching.
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus teaches us very clearly that while we’re still on this earth, life just isn’t going to go smoothly, we will have problems.
“But be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world.” Which means, when everything is said and done, you’re going to be with Him for all eternity.
So, when Paul says we can rejoice in tribulations and troubles, this means that we are experiencing what will take place during our sanctification process (living out the Christian life). Going through sanctification involves, “A growing in Christ” experience, at least it should. Paul identifies it as “finishing the race.”
II Tim. 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
For us to do this, takes perseverance; (hoo-pom-on-ay’) meaning a patient enduring, or endurance, the ability to continue working in the face of opposition. We see this take place in the lives of athletes.
I Cor. 9:25-27
“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (NLT)
To persevere as a Christian, it helps if we discipline ourselves in everything we think, do, or say. Discipline is a dirty word in today’s shallow, selfish society. Nevertheless, for a Christian, discipline is a devoted aspect of who we are.
In fact, the word “Christian” is simply another word for “disciple” (Acts 11:26 “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”), disciple is simply a branch form of the root word “discipline”. So, discipline and being a disciple (or Christian) go hand in hand.
Here are some ways to Grow in Christ, by disciplining ourselves:
1. Like I’ve said many times, read your bible and pray… every day.
2. Another way is to fast, to stop eating for a period of time. In doing this, you’re telling your body that you’re in control, and not your cravings.
3. Memorizing scripture, “hiding God’s Word in your heart.” This allows the Holy Spirit to use you in many ways.
4. Showing Christ’s love to those around you, and yes, loving the un-loveable.
5. Finally, stop procrastinating and get started! Don’t allow satan and his demons to slow you down.
II Tim. 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Another word for a “sound mind,” is “self-discipline.”
After perseverance, comes character; and character, hope.
Character: other translations use the word “experience,” and when experience is used, the example is a “tried character.”
A tried character is a proven character, which means “proof,” referring to our Christian character. “Proof,” was also the term used when removing all the impurities from gold and silver. In running the race that God has carved out for each one of us, it’s our Christian character that will be tested, tried, and proved.
Zechariah 13:9
“I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” (NLT)
Questions we have to ask ourselves: Do I consider myself to be spiritually disciplined, am I growing in Christ, do I have the character to finish strong?
If you find yourself lacking in any way, ask the Holy Spirit to help you, and He will show you the way to go.
Hope…
If you have hope, and I believe you do…
Rom. 5:5
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Rom. 10:11 “as the scriptures tell us, “Anyone who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” (or “put to shame”)
Proverbs 23:18 “You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.”
How can we be disappointed when we serve a God that we trust and who keeps His promises? Our real hope lies in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said; “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (Jn. 14:1)
By us believing in what Jesus has done, this should give a hope and a peace.
“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts.” When we receive salvation through Jesus, we enter into a spiritual relationship with Him that was the result of God loving us (Jn. 3:16). This love for us by God will never run out, it will last for all of eternity. This love that is in our heart, describes our relationship with God. This all comes about through the workings of the Holy Spirit.
I John 4:7
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
“By the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
John MacArthur; “Our spiritual security is not in our ability to live godly but in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to make us godly. Only God can make men godly, and the Spirit’s leading us into godliness is one of the great evidences of salvation. “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God,” Paul declares, “these are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).”
Rom. 8:9
“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)” (NLT)
The moment we trust Jesus for salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit, who constantly encourages our hope in God.
Rom. 15:13
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)
Rom. 5:6
“For while we were still helpless (or, when we were utterly helpless), at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (NASB)
When is man considered utterly helpless? When he’s trying to come to God in his own strength! Why can’t this be done? Because, it’s our sin that gets in the way, our sin is what separates us from having a relationship with God.
“At the right time Christ died for the ungodly,”
God’s timing is always perfect, because God is perfect in every way.
Gal. 4:4
“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (NLT)
I think being “slaves to the law” can be interpreted the same as being “slaves to sin.” Jesus came at just the right time to free us from the power of sin.
Psalm 18:30
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (NKJV)
God’s timing is never early, and it’s never been late. In fact, from before our birth until the moment we take our last earthly breath, our Sovereign God is accomplishing His divine purposes in our life.
The real problem about God’s timing is the way in which we respond to it, and much of that has to with our “patience.” We live in a time that is centered around microwave thinking, meaning that just like with a microwave oven, everything is ready in minutes… we want everything now, or maybe even yesterday!
Gal. 5:22
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (NLT)
Patience is a spiritual fruit from the Holy Spirit. Most people won’t ask God to teach them patience, they’re afraid that He might actually do it. But, we must understand that God’s timing is paramount, anything outside of God’s timing goes against His will, and you never want to be outside of God’s will.
Jesus came to this earth at just the right time!
Do you think if man had the choice as to just when the Messiah would come to earth, that there would be enough of a majority to agree on it? If that were the case, I think we would still be waiting for Him to come for the first time. Thank God it was never up to man as to when Jesus would come.
Rom. 5:7
“For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die.” (NASB)
No clarification needed here.
God is always showing us His love for us, and here He is showing us just how much He loves us, by sending His Son Jesus to this cesspool of an earth to be the “one and only sacrifice” for our sins.
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Perhaps you can’t even count how many times you’ve heard this scripture… please don’t become numb to it, don’t ever take it for granted! God loved you so much that He allowed His only Son to suffer and die for your sins, for my sins.
We just celebrated Resurrection Sunday, proclaiming Jesus’ victory. On “Good Friday,” we remembered exactly why Jesus came to this earth. He took on our sins, He became sin on our behalf… sin was nailed to the cross. Jesus died, becoming our propitiation, meaning, that through His sacrifice, God the Father was appeased.
God did this even though we didn’t deserve it, we were nothing but dirty rotten sinners. Boy, does He love us or what?
Rom. 5:9 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
We talked about being “justified” earlier, by being justified we have become brand-new, God sees us as being clean, like Adam & Eve before they sinned.
Acts 13:39
“And by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (NKJV)
Rom. 8:30
“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (NKJV)
If we are glorified by God, we will certainly not see the wrath of God. This truly shows us the power of the Blood by which we are saved.
by Lewis Edgar Jones…
“There is Power in the Blood”
“There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb.
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.”
By the Blood of the pure Spotless Lamb of God, we are justified, being that we’re justified, we will not face God’s wrath.
John 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
I Thess. 5:9
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
The one who believes in Jesus will not suffer God’s wrath for the sins we have committed, because the Son took God’s wrath upon Himself when He died in our place on the cross.
There is a vast difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man. God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s wrath is never holy and rarely justified. The wrath of God is a fearsome and terrifying thing.
Only those who have been covered by the blood of Christ, can be assured that God’s wrath will never fall on them.
Rev. 6:17
“For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
There is a coming wrath for the world and all the people left behind to face it; a coming wrath for all who do not belong to Jesus…
It’s not safe to die without Jesus!