Romans 5 The Benefits of Salvation: Justification, Peace, Faith, Hope & Love

Transcription

1 Review: Romans 5 The Benefits of Salvation: Justification, Peace, Faith, Hope & Love Rom. 3:21-28: But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance 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. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Rom. 4:3-5: For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness Most adults understand the relationship of working to earn a living. They are accustomed to expect to be paid for their services and receive just compensation for work done. They all feel they have worked for their paycheck, even for the so-called benefits such as medical insurance, a pension, vacation days, etc. While employers often take the position that such benefites are given, they usually tie benefits to the worker s contributions to the company, whether in relation to the number of years worked or pay grade. However, in stark contrast to this, the benefits of salvation are not dependent on our earning them! God does not owe any man anything therefore salvation cannot be bought or earned. None of salvation s benefits are deserved or earned. They come only because of God s grace. Questions: Are benefits an entitlement or a gift? How would you feel if you received benefits you had not earned? Do Christian s receive benefits they have done nothing to earn? Verse 1-5 JUST IF I D NEVER SINNED (JUSTIFIED) THROUGH FAITH BY GRACE & WE HAVE PEACE, HOPE AND GOD S LOVE [1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.] Note that when Jesus was born; the Gospel was born. The Gospel is the Good News of how man can have peace with God and joy in hope by being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. This was heralded by the angels who announced Jesus birth recorded in Luke 2:10-14: 1 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

2 Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Benefits of Salvation Of Being Justified By Grace through Faith. Paul now begins to enumerate the benefits or perks of being saved by faith in Jesus Christ. [ peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ ] The first benefit is peace with God. Here Paul reaffirms a foundational truth of the Gospel: We can only have peace with God, our Creator, through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ because God s marvelous grace has arranged it this way. See also Eph. 2:4-10. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. This is why Paul opens his letters with the greeting of peace and grace. For example, in Rom. 1: 7 Paul says, To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel itself contains the message of peace which Paul will later explain: And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things! {Rom. 10:15}. When things are going crazy around us, and people are confused, not knowing what to do, the Christian has the Gospel and the assurance, For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints {1 Cor. 14:33}. Jesus gave us tremendous assurance in regards to peace, if we would only trust Him Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 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 1. John 14:27; 16:33 Peace is one of the pieces of spiritual armor we are to wear and the most important for going and sharing the Good News;..and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.. {Eph. 6:15}. 1 Through faith just as believers are required to do: 1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. 2 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

3 And in his letter to the Colossian believers, Paul is even more explicit in explaining where a Christian s peace comes from: For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross {Col. 1:19-20}. Finally, righteousness is a direct result of sharing ( sowing ) the Gospel of peace: Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace {James 3:18}. [.. access by faith into this grace..] The next benefit is immediate access to God s grace by faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us; Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:14-16 [..rejoice in hope of the glory of God..] The third benefit is joy in the hope we have of one day being gloried with Jesus Christ. But it is even more than this. Our hope is not as the world s hope such as, I hope the Yankees win the World Series this year ; or I hope the stock market goes up ; or I hope I ll meet Mr. Right soon ; or I hope I get that raise they keep promising me. The Christian s hope is based on what God said He will do and God never lies and He has all the wisdom and power to make it happen! Therefore, our hope is more like a waiting to eventually get that which is promised. Here is how Paul puts it in his letter to the Ephesian believers; Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:11-13 And therefore we have an ETERNAL HOPE. For a deeper discussion on the basis for this HOPE {Jesus resurrection} refer to 1 Cor. 15: George Bernard Shaw was an Irish-born writer and playwright, was considered the most significant British dramatist since Shakespeare. He read Karl Marx and became a socialist and outspoken promoter of liberal ideas. He said this about marriage: The confusion of marriage with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other single error. One of the last statements that George Bernard Shaw made before his death was that he had pinned in hopes on atheism, but he had found that atheism did not solve the problems of the world. Then he made this remarkable comment: You are looking at an atheist who has lost his faith. It is all too tragic when a person at the end of their life finds that after getting to the top of the ladder that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall! HOPELESSNESS AND DESPAIR, NEXT TO LONELINESS, ARE PERHAPS THE MOST MISERABLE CONDITIONS OF MANKIND. 3 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

4 Because God gives us life..as long as there is breath, there is HOPE. [And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope] Paul is telling believers that there is triumph in troubles. He is telling us that the fruit of tribulations and troubles we experience in this world include perseverance, character and hope. The word translated character here is literally to prove or to test. Thus, our troubles prove or test our faith and Christian maturity and show us (1) how strong our faith is and at the same time (2) how weak our faith is. Only through trails can a Christian demonstrate the depth of his/her faith it is the only way. It is like an athlete that trains for the Olympics; it s not until he/she is engaged in the actual athletic contest is the training, discipline and hard work made evident. So too in the Christian life. Examples include Abraham, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abendeggo and ultimately Jesus Christ. For examples of TRIUMPH IN TROUBLES see for example; 2 Cor. 4:7-18; 1 Peter 1:3-9 and James 1:2-8. [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.] After having discussed the reason and benefit of godly hope, Paul now reassures us that our hope will not disappoint us. Why? Because God s love is sure and it has been poured out in our hearts! For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done 2, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7 How is all this accomplished? Through the power and working of the Holy Spirit who is given to us. Jesus said, And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.but the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.but when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. {John 14:16, 26; 15:16}. Our hope is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit Himself! In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Eph. 1: Again, reaffirming that salvation and its benefits cannot be earned. 4 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

5 Verse 6-11 WE HAVE GOD S SACRIFICIAL LOVE SAVED BY CHRIST S BLOOD [6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.] [ For when we were still without strength ] That is, when we were helpless and powerless to do anything about our sin sick nature. [ For scarcely for a righteous man.yet perhaps for a good man. ] We can better appreciate Paul's comparison by taking note of the prevailing Jewish and Greek attitudes of the day. In the writings of a Jewish scribe of the second century B.C., Jewish readers were taught that they should bestow benefits only on people who deserve them. Dying on behalf of another was not a consideration. In the writings of the preeminent Greek philosopher Aristotle; the teacher envisioned that noble friends might die for fellow noble friends. However, they would do so with self-interest that is, to gaining lasting honor. In stark contrast to the world s philosophy on sacrifice, Paul describes God s unique and holy sacrifice Christ died for the ungodly while they were sinners! He died for those who could add nothing to Him or ever repay Him. Matter of fact we are all powerless and poverty stricken in regards to repaying God for His grace and love. Paul could imagine a rare scenario in which someone might be willing to die on behalf of a worthy person. We certainly would have no difficulty imagining a parent willingly sacrificing himself or herself to save a child. Questions: (1) Would any of us die for an enemy? Under what conditions? (2) Would any of us die for someone who despised us? But here we have the unique, unheard of sacrifice that [ God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us ]. AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME. [..having now been justified by His blood.. ] Paul is reminding us what he has just explained, namely, that we are justified, declared righteous, with our sin-debt paid, through the death of Jesus on the cross. Sin is death and blood is life blood had to be shed so that our spiritual death could be converted to eternal life. But this is not automatic one must believe and accept the payment of sin through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament teaches that; For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. {Lev. 17:11}. The New Testament confirms this, And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin). {Heb. 9:22}. 5 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

6 Remember John 3:16; For God so loved the world (that s everyone) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (those who have trusted in Jesus payment for sin) should not perish but have everlasting life. [ Much more then..saved from wrath through Him ] Like the commercial: But wait there s more! Another wonderful benefit for the Christian is deliverance from God s wrath including the great wrath 3 that God will unleash on a lawless world during the Great Tribulation prophesied in the Book of Daniel and Revelation. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess. 1:8-10 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thess. 5:9-11 [..much more.we shall be saved by His life ] After having described at what tremendous cost we were reconciled to God (through the blood and death of Jesus Christ). Paul again is telling us, What wait there s more! The believer not only escapes God s wrath in judgment, both the Tribulation and Lake of Fire, but they are also saved to experience the fullness of life as God intends it. Ultimately, Paul has in mind here eternal life. [..we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ ] Another benefit of being a Christian is a joy that has substance! That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:1-4 3 For example see Isaiah 13:9-13. Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it.therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger. 6 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

7 Verse THE FIRST MAN, ADAM, BROUGHT DEATH BUT JESUS CHRIST BRINGS ETERNAL LIVE [12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.] This goes along with what Paul teaches in 1 Cor. 15:21-23: For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Sanctification of the Believer (vv :39) Headship of Adam (Death & Sin) (vv ) Verse A CHRISTIAN IS NO LONGER UNDER CONDEMNATION [15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man'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. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 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.).] Paul here gives a contrast that needs to be understood carefully. In this section, Paul contrasted the legacies of Adam and Christ on humanity. When Paul states that the free gift is not like the offense, he does not mean that since all humans automatically inherit a sin nature [the offense or trespass] at birth from Adam, we all also receive salvation [the gift] automatically from Jesus. This would be the error of Universalism 4, a doctrine Paul did not teach. Instead, Paul was contrasting (a) the devastating influence of Adam's fall on humanity with (b) the ultimate power of God's grace in Christ. Christ's sacrifice was truly an example of a gift overflowing with the grace of God. Questions: (1) What does the word translated abounded indicate about God s love and grace? Headship of Christ (Life & Righteousness) (vv ). 4 Universalism teaches that all will be saved by the sacrifice of Christ, either knowingly or ignorantly. 7 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

8 Verse A CHRISTIAN HAS ETERNAL LIFE [18 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. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.] [ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound ] Refer especially to Paul s discussion on the purpose of Law in Gal. 3:10-29 The Law slays the Spirit gives Eternal Life. The Law is holy, perfect and good but because of man s sin it is powerless to save us for no on can keep that Law! The Law defines what a sin [inability to obey] and a trespass [willful disobedience] is but it cannot and was never intended to save anyone. It only screams as to why man needs a Savior a person who is sinless but willing to pay the price for sin death! The Law is like the mirror on the bathroom wall; it can tell you where the smudges and dirt is, but it cannot clean off the dirt. Only the water coming out of the faucet can and that water is the Living Water that Jesus Christ gives! [ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.. ] Paul here interprets the function of the law in its proper historical perspective as previously discussed. In the phrase Paul uses here he uses a verb that literally means came in beside. Whereas people are in fact sinners, the law was introduced in history to give definition to sin to declare that acts such as coveting, stealing, and murder are indeed offenses against Almighty God. [ so that as sin reigned in death ] So the soul that sins will die {Ezek. 18:4}. Death reigns as a SIN INDICATOR.but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die {Gen. 2:17}. But in like manner; even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Questions: (1) How has Adam s sin affected people to this very day? (2) How has Christ s death affected people to this very day? Rebellion of Adam vs. Righteousness of Christ (vv ). Disobedience vs. Obedience 8 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel

9 Judgment vs. Justification (Free Gift) Sin vs. Grace Condemnation vs. Communion Conclusions: (1) Those who have received God's grace in salvation are now at peace with God. (2) Those who have received God's grace enjoy certain hope about their future. (3) Those who have received God s grace enjoy a never-ending, in-depth experience of God's love. (4) Those who have received God's grace have ETERNAL LIFE through Christ: 9 Copyright 2011 Klaus Schiessel