Search Results

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 The first point Paul makes is one showcasing our weakness by characterizing it as a continuing condition. The context of this verse indicates that this is a spiritual condition that we lack the strength to overcome. The second point Paul makes is that Jesus did not wait for us to get better. Instead, He sacrificed Himself while we were ungodly and dead in our sins. One critical point to make, the WE Paul refers to is not ALL. The WE are those who belong to Jesus. Christ’s death was enough for anyone, but it will only produce the desired results for those who believe, which is God’s gracious gift.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.    And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;    and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Roman 5:5 Here is the cherry on top: a hope that does not disappoint. You see, hope in the man-centered sense is always temporary because when it fails, it fails big time. It just crumbles apart. One of the hardest things for people to deal with is unrealized expectations. Once we fully understand the gospel of grace, disappointment is impossible. Paul emphasizes that the hope that does not shame or disappoint is God’s love for us, not our love for Him. This is His promise of grace.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.    And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;    and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;   and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Roman 5:4 For the Christian, difficult times are like a soldier training for war. This training yields perseverance, which leads to a strong character, which brings hope. Christians with true saving faith know where this hope comes from because they have been crucified, buried, and raised to a new life in Christ.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;    and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;   and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Roman 5:3 Trouble in our lives is what most people seek to avoid, and few would describe it as joyful. Even the apostle Paul is not claiming difficult times are joyful. He is declaring, from the context of what Christ has done, that even times of tribulation can offer an occasion for Joy; not because it is a pleasurable experience but because of what it produces in the Christian.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.    And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;    and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;   and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Roman 5:2 The access to the glory of God gained through our faith in Christ is the joy upon which all Christians stand. We are no longer seen by God, covered by our inequities but instead stand before God, wearing the cloak of another.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.    And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;    and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;   and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Roman 5:1 Why must we be justified by faith to have peace with God?  Because our relationship with God is estranged.  It has been this way since the Garden when Adam could not obey God perfectly and was removed from the eternal glory of paradise.  As Adam was our federal head, we inherited the debt and condition of his disobedience.  This is why the grand narrative of the Bible is God’s plan of redemption. That plan is slowly revealed in scripture and consummated through a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through our faith in Him that our relationship with God is restored, and we have peace.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,    through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 Contrary to what other churches claim, the “therefore,” noted at the beginning of this text indicates that all who have saving faith in Jesus Christ attain peace with God. Period. This is a fundamental principle of the gospel, reconciliation. Reconciliation is at the heart of God’s plan of redemption, established immediately after the fall of man (Gen. 3:15). God would restore the relationship between Him and His people through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,    but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,  He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:23-25 Up to this point in Romans, the apostle Paul emphasized our justification through our faith in Christ. Now, he will begin to address how this was accomplished through the resurrection of Jesus. When we speak of the gospel message, most people stop at the crucifixion of Christ as being sufficient in absolving us of our sin, but not so fast. If your car were to be stolen, the thief is caught, and your property is returned to you fully intact; this does not absolve the thief of the crime nor your right to press charges. Likewise, God is not obligated to forgive sin simply because payment is provided. This is why the Jewish sacrificial system was insufficient and merely a type of something greater to come. Consequently, when Jesus died on the cross and was placed dead in the tomb, we would remain dead if he remained there. Instead, God the Father, full of grace and mercy, raised His Son from the dead and proclaimed to the world throughout time, “I accept this sacrifice as payment in full for the debt you could never repay.” Jesus paid the debt in full on the cross, and God accepted it through the resurrection. In short, without the resurrection, there is no salvation.

Without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;    yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. Romans 4:19-22 Paul writes about God’s promise to Abraham that he and his wife Sarah would have a child in old age. Due to our fallen condition, most of us would reflect our physical state onto this promise from God. As a result, we would presume this to be a failed promise. After all, it goes against all rational thought. Yet, Abraham’s personal trust in God transcended all that seemed reasonable to the world. He believed God, the one who creates from nothing, ex nihilo. Abraham's faith grew stronger through what seemed an impossible promise from God. It is no different in our salvation because, in our fallen state, mankind struggles to realize what God has already done through the work of Christ. We are saved by God’s grace alone, through our faith alone, in Christ alone. All to the glory of God alone.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Romans 4:18 One of the main components of faith is trust, and in faith that saves trust becomes very personal. This is the type of faith the apostle Paul eludes to in this verse with an illustration of the faith of Abraham. Abraham did not just believe in God; even Satan and all His minions believe in God. Abraham’s belief was very personal; he not only believed in God, but he also believed God. All that God had promised and all that God had demanded. Abraham trusted God fully and kept Him at the center of his life. In hope against hope he believed. Abraham believed in the God of all creation, who brought all things into existence from nothing. So it is for us, personal trust in the Author of all things. So shall your descendants be. We are all children of Abraham through our faith in Jesus Christ.

For this reason, it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”). . . . Romans 4:16-17 Paul’s point here is the certainty of salvation through God’s grace. Think about it, if our justification before a holy God relied on our obedience, we could be sure of absolutely nothing. Paul showcases Abraham, who was counted as righteous by God exclusively because of his faith. So, all who follow the faith of Abraham, not the works or heritage of Abraham but the faith of Abraham, are considered his spiritual offspring and are counted as righteous.

For this reason, it is by faith so that it may be in accordance with grace. . . . Romans 4:16 The apostle Paul had just argued for the law of God not being one of imposed obligation. Instead, Paul notes the law as an outline to reflect our true identity and our great need for an advocate for redemption. So, our identity is revealed as one who cannot do enough to merit righteousness. Therefore, God's grace alone must be the only path to righteousness.