Romans - Week 10

Mankind Redeemed

READ

Romans 4:23-25

23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Having mentioned that righteousness was put on Abraham’s account because of his faith in God, Paul goes on to apply it to others. He emphasized it is the same way all come to God, by faith believing in Him who resurrected the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus had sacrificed His life “because of our sins” and He was raised from the dead “to make us right with God.” His resurrection was proof Jesus had finished His redemptive work; now it is up to others to believe in Him.

REFLECT

Have you thought about Jesus doing all He could to redeem mankind and now the decision is left up to each person to believe in Him?

RESPOND

Read Luke 18:9-14 about the Pharisee and the tax collector. The tax collector was praying on the other side of the cross. Jesus had not yet become the satisfaction (propitiation) for the sins of mankind. On this side of the cross it can be said, “Jesus has been merciful to you, a sinner. Now what will you do with Him?”

Peace with God

READ

Romans 5:1-2

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 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.

Paul now addresses the benefits of being made right with God. The world is desperate to find peace. Some wealthy people would give all they have if they could have peace. Paul tells about the only way people can have true peace, by trusting in Jesus as Savior. Any other way to gain peace will not be lasting. This is an “undeserved privilege,” which is another way of saying it is by grace through faith. This also allows one to share in God’s glory in the future.

REFLECT

Having trusted in Jesus for salvation, do you realize you have a peace that would be treasured by others? Be ready to explain to others why you have such peace. You can live more joyfully as you realize you are ready to meet Jesus face-to-face.

RESPOND

Read Philippians 4:6-9 to see other statements about peace. Learn how to experience it and what to think about, which allows the God of peace to control your life.

Fill Our Hearts

READ

Romans 5:3-5

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Most people want to escape problems and trials, but Paul says those problems and trials help to develop endurance. So the focus should not be on the problems but what they produce—endurance, strength of character, and confident hope of salvation, The end result is there is encouragement as believers realize how much God loves them and has filled their hearts with love by the indwelling the Holy Spirit. God does His work in each believer’s heart even through problems and trials.

REFLECT

Does this change your perspective about the difficulties you may now be experiencing? Try focusing on the results God has promised.

RESPOND

See what other Scriptures say about problems and trials. Read James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7 and 4:12-13.

While We Were Still Sinners

READ

Romans 5:6-8

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Some think they are deserving of God’s love. They may even think they have no need of Jesus dying for them. Paul corrects that thinking in this passage. People were helpless sinners when Jesus died for them. In fact, that’s why He died for them. Some might try to reform their lives before seeing the need to trust in Jesus, but He didn’t die for those who had reformed their lives because no amount of self-reformation would be enough. The only hope is for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ who died for sinners.

REFLECT

Before you trusted in Jesus for salvation, did some tell you to be a better person before you did that? Think about the changed life Jesus gave you “after” you trusted in Him. 

RESPOND

Do you wonder what the apostle Paul thought of himself before he trusted Jesus as Savior? To find out, read 1 Timothy 1:14-16. You can use this passage to assure others that if God could save Paul, who later became an apostle, He is able to save them as well.

Friends of God

READ

Romans 5:9-11

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. 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. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Paul continues to write about the benefits of being in a right relationship with God. Such a person is saved from God’s condemnation. Friendship with God has been restored by the death of Jesus. And if this was done while people were God’s enemies, think how much He will do after those people trust in Jesus for salvation. Now believers can rejoice because Jesus has made them friends with God.

REFLECT

Think about the fact that, as a believer, you are now a friend of God. No matter how few earthly friends you have, your great treasure is that God is your friend.

RESPOND

Because God has reconciled believers to Himself, He has now given them the ministry of reconciling others to Him. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 to see what each believer’s responsibility now is.