The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 6:1-14)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends! 

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 6:1-14)

This week we will begin reading chapter 6, verses 1-14 as we consider being Dead to Sin and yet Alive to God in Jesus Christ – Life verses Death…

We now begin to enter into one of the greatest passages of our studies in the Word of God! As we continue on our journey through Romans, we will delve into the Apostles Paul’s excellent exposition of the doctrine of Sanctification – the on-going life process in which the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit makes the Christian righteous. Conformed to the image of God – by God Himself! 

 

DISCLAIMER: We're going to make our way through these next few chapters theme by theme, taking the opportunity to thoroughly follow through Paul's arguments. That said, inevitably what's going to happen is we're going to cover some verses in which will raise many questions – many of which will be answered if we'll just wait until the Lord addresses them! Therefore, please be patient as we move progressively through the development of Paul's dissertations – verse by verse, chapter by chapter. With that said, let’s continue…

 

Since we began our study of the book of Romans, we have swept through some wonderful themes such as:

• By way of introduction in the first 17 verses of chapter one, the Apostle Paul provided an overview of the unfolding redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
• The Apostle Paul then launched into a great discourse on the sinfulness of man in chapter 1 verses 18 all the way through chapter 3 verse 20.
• Beginning in chapter 3 verse 21 all the way through chapter 5 verse 21, the Apostle Paul embarked upon a significant discussion of the doctrine of Salvation by “grace” through “faith” alone in the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Up to this point, there have been the two major doctrines found within these themes: Man's sinfulness – Death and God's salvation – Life. Throughout these two great foundational doctrines, Paul has been stressing the dire situation of the inevitable doom that man faces because of his “sin” – wicked heart of total depravity. 

 

We now come to a new development in Paul's thinking and a third major doctrine begins to emerge. Now that we have been saved out of “sin” into Salvation, what is the inevitable result? We're going to see the answer to that question in chapters 6, 7 and 8 – the wonderful life-changing doctrine of Sanctification – the believer’s “holiness” in Jesus Christ.

 

The Apostle Paul introduces this next doctrine of Sanctification by addressing a question that would inevitably come up at this point of his Gospel presentation:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? – Romans 6:1

Paul was very good at anticipating the argument of his opponent – “What shall we say then?” After all, he had preached the Gospel enough times to know what responses it generated. He had presented to hostile groups long enough to know how they reacted and he knew the inevitable antagonist's viewpoint. He also knew the “objections” he needed to address in continuing his argument effectively… Paul’s rhetorical question: "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" is followed by and adamant response:

Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? – Romans 6:2

In other words, since more “sin” generates more of God’s “grace” then shouldn’t we just continue to “sin” now that we're redeemed? – “Certainly not!” 

 

NOTE: This false doctrine is known as Antinomianism. This is the very unbiblical belief that says one can willfully continue in “sin” to allow God to receive more “glory” by dispensing His “grace” as a license for unholy living. Also known as “cheap grace” – this viewpoint is complete and utter foolishness! Christians are not to use the “grace” of God as a means to “sin!” Instead, the true Christian is to be controlled by the “love” of God as a “fruit” of the Holy Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love… – Galatians 5:22

Jude also warned of this “ungodly” doctrine which turned the “grace” of God into “lewdness” promulgated by “certain men” who were “marked out for this condemnation” – a solemn reminder:

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness – Jude 4

IMPORTANT: Although the true Christian will continue to “sin” in the flesh throughout God’s sanctifying work of “grace” in their life, they cannot remain in habitual “sin” the way they did prior to conversion due to the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit within the believer. There is a big difference between stumbling into “sin” and willful disobedience – jumping in with both feet! While true Christians will continue to “sin” as part of the struggle with the “flesh,” their lives are marked by a deep desire to pursue “holiness” and walk in “obedience” to God's Word – “We died to sin!” The Apostle Paul will address this important subject matter in greater detail later in chapter 7…

 

Next Paul explains what he means when he speaks about “dying” to “sin” through a series of four “truth principles” in which he meticulously works his way through in verses 3 to 14. Here we learn how the true Christian has “died to sin” in Jesus Christ.

 

Principle One – “baptized into Christ Jesus”

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? – Romans 6:3

We're not merely a Justified – a legally declared righteous person – who chooses to do as he pleases. When we became a Christian, we were brought into an intimate living union with Jesus Christ! The Bible says we are “baptized into Christ Jesus” – baptizo – immersed into Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit! 

 

NOTE: Paul is not referring to water baptism here. He's speaking of an “immersing ministry” where the Holy Spirit of God is infused into the believer – “baptized into His death” at the moment of conversion. This represents an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord!

 

Principle Two – “walk in newness of life”

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin – Romans 6:4-6

Notice Paul says "even so we also should walk in newness of life" – this isn't the "should" of obligation, it is the "should" of divine accomplishment. We walk in “newness of life” – now! This is a tremendous truth. When we are saved by Jesus Christ we are “united together” in His “death” and we rise to “walk” in a new life so that our “body of sin might be done away with” – we are made totally different! We “die” in Jesus Christ in order to “live” in Jesus Christ. We are “crucified with Him” in His “death” in order to partake of His “resurrection” and life to “no longer be slaves of sin” – Praise the Lord!

 

The entire Bible speaks of this “newness of life” in such beautiful terms:

• Psalm 40 calls it a “new song”
• Ezekiel 18 calls it a “new spirit”
• Ezekiel 36 calls it a “new heart”
• 2 Corinthians 5 calls it a “new creation”
• Galatians 6 calls it a “new creature”
• Ephesians 4 calls it a “new man”
• Revelation 2 calls it a “new name”

Everything is “new!” We are Called by God, Justified in salvation to be made Sanctified through Him – and ultimately at death we are Glorified with “new” bodies!

Principle Three – “freed from sin”

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God – Romans 6:7-10

How do we know that Jesus Christ broke the power of “sin” when He “died” on the cross? Because God accepted His sacrifice by raising Him from the “dead” – He defeated sin and death! And when He rose from the grave, He proved to the world that He had broken the “dominion” of “sin” and “death” forever! When Jesus Christ conquered “death” He conquered “sin.” It was a decisive, complete and final victory. Therefore, “death” has no more power or “dominion over Him” – or us! 

 

The writer of Hebrews chapters 7, 9 and 10 also explains that when Jesus Christ “died” once and came out of the “grave,” the believer was placed in His “death” & “resurrection” and we too have broken the power of “sin” permanently in our lives and it will never again lay tyrannical claim on our lives!

 

NOTE: This doesn't mean that we are freed from “sin's” presence. “Sin” abounds all around our sin-cursed world and as long as our humanness and “flesh” are with us on this side of heaven, we're going to struggle with that nature. Since we still have some of those old sinful human bents and propensities, we're going to have some problems. Therefore, Paul’s point here is that as we have “died with Christ” this “sin” is no longer ruling and reigning over us – a very important distinction!

Principle Four – “alive to God”

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace – Romans 6:11-14

The first word in this passage is "Likewise" which takes us back through the first ten verses. This term "likewise" could be translated "Things having been thus settled, we now move on" and simply means "now after all of that is well in mind and in heart, we pursue the next truth." 

 

The second term is “reckon” and here doctrine gives way to “faith.” The word "know" dealt with the mind. The word "reckon" deals with the heart. We “know” it to be so intellectually and now we believe it by “faith” – we “reckon” God’s truth. The people who often run around looking for some kind of external phenomena – “sign & wonder” – or internal feeling – “liver quiver” – to verify the reality of Jesus Christ in their life don't have true “faith” – That's actually doubt looking for proof!

 

The word “present” here in verse 13 brings us to the heart of this passage which has to do with the will. You must not “let sin reign in your mortal body” but you must “present yourselves” as well as “your members as instruments of righteousness to God” because “you are not under law but under grace” – AMEN!

 

In the Gospel of John, the Lord Jesus Christ also commands us to “do” good – which speaks to the will:

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them – John 13:17

The Apostle Peter calls Christians to “holy” living – which also pertains to the will:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light – 1 Peter 2:9

And then Peter follows with this plea to “abstain” – also referring to the will:

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul – 1 Peter 2:11

As we've learned through the Word of God throughout our studies, “obedience” is always founded on “sound doctrine.” Exhortation never comes in a vacuum! It always comes built on a precept of Divine Truth. And here we have fourteen verses of solid foundational doctrine in which to further build our Christian lives upon – Praise the Lord!

 

In closing:

 

The tyranny of “sin” is total domination. But in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and our subsequent “death” in Him, the old man “died” and we are no longer under slavery to “sin” – no longer bond slaves! There's only one way for us to deal with our “sin” – we must “die” to it! One will either “die” in hell forever paying for their own “sin” debt or will “die” in Jesus Christ whom has already paid their “sin” debt – paid in full!

 

In salvation our bondage changes from being bound to “sin” to being bound to “righteousness” in Jesus Christ. From the unceasing, incessant pattern of “sin,” we are transformed into one who desires God’s “righteousness.” This is a very important principle to understand. We have “died” to “sin” – forever! A person who is born again is translated out of the kingdom of darkness and is delivered from the bondage of Satan. 

 

The Apostle Paul also emphatically states to the Ephesians that “we” who were “by nature children of wrath“ also “once walked according to the course of this world” under the control of the “prince of the power of the air”  – the ruler of the darkness of this world:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others – Ephesians 2:1-3

But praise be to God we have been set free! We have come into “newness of life” in Jesus Christ!

Please continue reading verses 1-14 of the sixth chapter of Romans.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 5:12-21)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 5:12-21)

 
This week we will continue reading chapter 5 verses 12-21 as we ponder Death in Adam and Life in Jesus Christ – Life and Death…

Many theologians consider this to be one of the most difficult passages in the book of Romans. At first reading it sounds intensely complex – and in a sense it is indeed. But in another sense it's wonderfully simple and wonderfully clear. And I think by the time we're finished, you'll have this latter understanding too!
 

Adam: His reign of death

DEATH… First of all, it is important to note that twice in this passage the Apostle Paul repeats the phrase "death reigned."

 

It appears in verse 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 – Romans 5:14

It appears again in verse 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 – Romans 5:17

And in verse 21 it says “sin reigned in death.”

so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – Romans 5:21

The major lesson that Paul wants to teach here in chapter 5 verse 12 to 21 is that “one” man – Adam – has wickedly affected so many. As you’ll remember, Paul described earlier in chapters 1, 2 and the first half of chapter 3 the awful “sin” nature of man. Then, beginning in the second half of chapter 3, all of chapter 4 and in the first half of chapter 5 (as we read last week), Paul told us how Jesus Christ has “justified” – saved – by His death on the cross all who come to Him in “faith!” 

 

To begin with, we learn that “sin entered the world” through “one man” and then “death spread to all men”

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned – Romans 5:12

Note carefully that it does not say that Adam originated sin. Sin had already existed prior to Adam. The Bible says the devil has “sinned from the beginning”:

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil – 1 John 3:8

We actually find Lucifer’s “original sin” and his resulting rebellious fall from heaven – often referred to as his sinful five “I wills” – brazenly outlined in the book of Isaiah:

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit – Isaiah 14:12-15

Therefore, sin predates Adam! We learn that Adam didn't originate sin, he “learned” it from the one who originated it – the “devil!” Adam merely introduced it into the human realm. That's why Paul says as by “one man” sin entered into kosmos or the human system – mankind. Adam was acting as an introductory point – an “agent” for Satan. Adam was merely a pawn in the devil's attack on God. To state it another way – Satan made the product, Adam just introduced it into the marketplace!

 

Essentially Paul presents Adam acting on behalf of mankind. After all, that is what Adam’s name means – “mankind.” Adam and his wife Eve had become one flesh and would soon introduce rebellion and evil into the entire human race – male and female. Adam therefore is not acting as an individual man – he is acting as mankind. Adam is the cause of “all” mankind becoming sinners. That’s why Paul also tells the Corinthian believers:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive – 1 Corinthians 15:22

Death came as the penalty for “sin” and is the unfailing fruit of the poison that entered Adam's heart. Solidarity and guilt must involve penalty. “Sin” and “death” will never be separated.

At this point, there are a couple of critical questions to consider pertaining to the virgin birth of Jesus Christ:

• Why did Jesus Christ have to be born of a virgin?
• Why did Jesus Christ have to bypass a human father?

Answer: Because if Jesus Christ would have been born through Joseph, He too would have become a fallen sinner! People often ask, "Is the virgin birth important?" Yes! Extremely important!

Then verse 13 says:

For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law – Romans 5:13

Here we see that “sin” cannot be charged – “imputed” – to one's account when there is no “law” available to obey. In other words – how can one be guilty for breaking a “law” if there's no “law” to break? Right?

And then verse 14 says:

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 – Romans 5:14

The main thought here is “death reigned” from “Adam to Moses.” So when God gave the “law” to Moses, did “all” people living before Moses “die?” Yes! Therefore, if “death reigned from Adam to Moses” then “death” is not a result of sin(s) – plural – and it's not a result of breaking a direct commandment. In fact, it's not even a result of violating a direct statement from God – because prior to Moses, the “law” did not exist. In the period of time from “Adam to Moses” there was no “law” and “death reigns” and they're not dying because they broke a “law” – So what is it that's causing them to “die?” The sin nature!

 

This period of history from “Adam to Moses” verifies that men “die” not because they “sin” – it is because they are born with a sin corrupting principle within them. And they're born into the world on their way to hell. But God in His marvelous mercy calls them to Himself! And the conclusion is that we “die” not because of acts of “sin” but because we bear the “sin principle” which ultimately kills us! It's like having cancer eating away at our body till ultimate death occurs. God is calling people back from Death to Life – That's His heart’s desire!

Jesus Christ: His gift of Life!

LIFE… Paul anticipates an argument might formulate and addresses it head-on. How is it that Jesus Christ – one Individual – can accomplish a work which is potentially able to save all men? In order to answer that question, Paul draws an analogy between “Adam” and “Jesus Christ” the “One” that brings us to the second part of Paul’s analogy throughout the balance of this excellent chapter:

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. 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. 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. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – Romans 5:15-21

The focus is no longer on Adam and his reign of death. Rather it’s now on Jesus Christ and His reign of Life!

This beautiful Truth now becomes the point of interest – the “free gift” of Jesus Christ! Adam's one act brought “sin,” “judgment” and “condemnation.” However, Jesus Christ's one act brought “grace,” “righteousness,” “justification” and “life” – “more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” Therefore, the effect of these acts are antithetical to one another – the complete opposite! The analogy comes in the idea that one man with one act can affect so many and the effectiveness of Jesus Christ's “gift” is greater than Adam's “sin” offense – “much more!” What then is the practical use of this passage? It is the confident assurance that once we are saved by Jesus Christ we are in Him forever. And that Truth fills our hearts with everlasting “hope!”

 

The Apostle Paul gives five “contrasts” here in these closing passages as he presents Jesus Christ as the One who brings eternal life:

• Contrast in effectiveness = Adam's “offense“ & Jesus Christ's “Gift
• Contrast in extent = Adam's “condemnation” & Jesus Christ's “Justification”
• Contrast in efficacy = Adam’s “death” & Jesus Christ’s “Life
• Contrast in essence = Adam’s “sin” & Jesus Christ’s “Grace”
• Contrast in energy = Adam’s “unrighteousness” & Jesus Christ’s “Righteousness”

Where there was the “reign of death,” God came with His “grace” and overpowered death which is overruled by “life” for all who believe in Jesus Christ!

 

And don’t forget – the Apostle John also says that you can, beyond the shadow of a doubt, “know that you have eternal life”:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:13

Praise the Lord!

 

In closing:

 

Corruption invaded the human realm in the Garden of Eden and no one can escape – no one!

 

As the Apostle Paul previously explained, from Adam on throughout human history, everyone has “sinned”:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23

And I would just like to remind you that we’re not sinners because we “sin.” No! We “sin” because we are sinners! We’re not liars because we lie. We lie because in our hearts we’re liars! One is not a murderer because they kill somebody, they kill because within the heart is murder. Jesus Christ said in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark that it's not that which goes into a man that defiles him, it's that which comes out of him – for out of the heart proceeds evil, murders and so forth…

 

Death is inevitable – it awaits us all. We can fear it or we can anticipate it. It can be the beginning of a worse death forever without God or it can be the beginning of eternal bliss in the presence of the living God! We were there in Adam – we sinned and we will die. But we can also be there in Jesus Christ with the payment of our sins made in His death and we can rise in His resurrection to newness of life. Which will you choose?

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment – Hebrews 9:27

Every one of us should bow before God in humiliating consciousness that we are vile sinners worthy of death. We must realize that apart from the work of Jesus Christ we would be doomed to eternity forever without God because He hates sin.

 

By the way, there are no “first degree” or “second degree” or “third degree” sins. Sin is sin. And one “sin” has potentiality beyond the power of human calculation! I contend that we need God's view of “sin” because it will only be when we get God's view of “sin” that we'll understand just how magnanimous is God's “grace” – AMEN!

Please continue reading verses 12-21 of the fifth chapter of Romans.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 5:1-11)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 5:1-11)

 
This week we will begin reading chapter 5 verses 1-11 as we study these first eleven verses we’re going to find ourselves rejoicing in the tremendous security of our salvation. This is a great passage!

This is a subject that through the years has been very hotly debated in theology. There have always been those who have affirmed that you can lose your salvation and those who have affirmed that you cannot lose your salvation – the battle rages on. The issue of eternal security or the perseverance of the saints or the “once saved, always saved” doctrine is very important. In many churches today it is believed that a Christian can indeed lose his or her salvation. We often hear about those who "backslide" and fall away from Jesus Christ. This particular doctrine that says one can lose their salvation renders salvation conditional. In other words, long as you meet the “conditions of maintenance” you are safe. This view is nothing less than works righteousness...
 
Here in chapter five, the Apostle Paul presents six “links” in a chain – so to speak – that ties a true believer eternally to the Savior. This chain is so secure, that after grasping these passages, we're going to know full well that if we are truly in Jesus Christ we will belong to Him forever – eternal security. That's a marvelous thing to know!

First link: “peace with God”

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:1

It isn't so much that we were hostile against God as it was that God was hostile against us – angry about our sin. In fact, the Bible says God is “angry with the wicked every day”:

God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day – Psalm 7:11

However, true Christian believers are secure because they are at “peace with God” and His anger and wrath are satisfied in the death of our “Lord Jesus Christ.” For how long do Christians have “peace with God”? For as long as Jesus Christ lives – Forever! When a person embraces Jesus Christ by faith, the spotless Son of God makes that person one with God – Forever!

 

Second link: “standing in grace”

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand – Romans 5:2a

Grace is God's undeserved favor toward sinners. Grace operates where there is sin. If we “stand” in “grace” but sin, God’s “grace” operates. By “whom” do we have “access by faith?” Through “our Lord Jesus Christ” – Everything is because of Him! We aren't moving in and out of “grace” – we “stand” in it. We're not coming and going through it, we're “standing” in it! 

 

Third link: “hope of glory”

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God – Romans 5:2b

He also brings us to the “hope of the glory of God” in Jesus Christ! So far we see that the security of the believer is first of all predestined in the past – Jesus Christ made “peace with God.” The security of the believer is anchored and maintained in the present – we are “standing in grace.” The security of the believer is anchored in the future – our “hope of glory.” We have been saved. We are being saved. We shall yet be saved. We wait for the full salvation – the redemption of our bodies – the full and ultimate glorification. Therefore, past, present & future all comes together to secure the believer! 

 

Fourth link: “love of God”

And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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 – Romans 5:3-5

Here the Apostle Paul says we rejoice even in our “tribulations.” The Greek word tribulation is thlipsis which means “pressure” and refers to the squeezing of olives to get the oil or the squeezing of grapes to get the wine. Tribulation works “perseverance.” The Greek word hupomoneit means “patient endurance.” We go through trouble and learn to endure – the more trouble, the more we learn to endure. And what happens? Our “perseverance” produces Dokimenis the Greek word that means to be “put to the test” for the purpose of approving someone. The same way gold or silver is tested for impurities to make sure it's pure. The believer not only rejoices in the “glory” to come but he even rejoices in the “tribulations” now. Why? Because the “tribulations” now “produces” the kind of “perseverance” and “character” that has a greater capacity to “rejoice” about the future. Wonderful!

 

Therefore, when we experience “tribulations” it produces “perseverance” – proven “character” – and “hope” which “does not disappoint” because “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts” as we await the promised anticipated glory by the “Holy Spirit who was given to us.” The truth is that God's love for us has been deposited in our hearts by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Practically speaking, the Holy Spirit gives the true believer the sense that God loves Him.

 

The Apostle James also speaks to this promise which “produces patience”:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing – James 1:2-4

However, we will forfeit this sense that comes by the Holy Spirit ministering to us if we live in willful disobedience, an unrighteous life or habitual unconfessed sin. By disobedience we grieve the Holy Spirit and will cause Him to bear no fruit in our lives. Therefore, if a Christian goes through a period when he loses this sense of God loving him, it is because he has quenched the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God. Although our salvation is indeed secure, we can in fact hinder His work in our lives and lose the sense of God’s love. Beware!

 

Fifth link: “saved from wrath”

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.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 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 – Romans 5:6-10

What does Paul mean when he says we were “still without strength?” As unbelievers we were without strength to do anything that pleased God. Without strength to overcome sin, Satan, the world, the flesh, death, hell, the ability to live a righteous life or to save ourselves when we were literally paralyzed by our sin – unable to do anything about it. We had no moral ability at all. We were “enemies” of Holy God and powerless to please Him. Therefore, if there was nothing in us to make Him love us, what could there be in us to make Him stop loving us? Nothing! Can you see the point Paul is making? 

 

Jesus Christ died for us “while we were still sinners” – ungodly, impotent, ugly sinners. God hates every sin, evil deed, evil thought, evil word – He despises them with the fury of all of heaven. The fact that He could reach out and love ungodly sinners is the all-surpassing nature of His divine love. If God could love us “when we were enemies” of His, is it going to be any problem for Him to love us now “through the death of His Son” as believers? No! We were “justified by His blood” and we will be “saved from wrath through Him” that is to come. That transaction – “having been reconciled” – covers the past, present and future. If He could save us through the “death of His Son” then He can certainly keep us “saved by His life” – This is a great truth!

 

Sixth link: “rejoice in God”

And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation – Romans 5:11

The final “link” that anchors us to our blessed Lord God is that we “rejoice in God” through “our Lord Jesus Christ” by whom we sinners – believers – have “received the reconciliation” with our Holy God. We are secure in Him. What a “hope” great we have! 

In closing:

 

One of the things that Satan does in attacking a Christian is to attack him at the point of his assurance of salvation. Satan likes to make us doubt our redemption. That's why when we put on the armor of God outlined by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6, he tells us to put on the helmet of salvation. Paul again writing to the Thessalonians further defined it by referring to it as the “helmet of the hope of salvation.” Why? Because Satan wants to deal devastating blows to our head in the area of doubt – we’re saved, redeemed and belong to God. To believe that somehow, someway we forfeited our redemption. Satan therefore blasts away, attempting to make us feel insecure and intimidated. And so we must wear the helmet of the hope and hold to the confidence that we’re really eternally redeemed!

 

Sadly, some believe God has indeed saved them, but as long as they continue to match up with His standard, they can “hold on” to their salvation. But if at any point they fail to live up to His standard – they lose it. However, it doesn't take much Biblical insight to realize that this is a works-righteous perspective. Because what this false belief is really saying is that salvation is conditional in the sense that our works have to stay up to standard or we forfeit our salvation. This distorts salvation into a self-effort work based on human ability. I do not believe the Scriptures teach this and neither did the Apostle Paul! This is exactly the issue to which Paul speaks here in this section to the Romans. 

 

It actually fascinates me that in many treatments of the subject of the security of the believer, Romans 5 is rarely even discussed. In fact, of all the passages in the New Testament, these are the most absolutely definitive text ever written on the security of our salvation!

 

Don’t forget, the Apostle John also says that we can “know that you have eternal life”:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:13

The Apostle Peter also boldly states:

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time – 1 Peter 1:5

The reason we as believers are secure is because God has given us the “hope” that is built into our salvation and “kept by the power of God through faith for salvation” that we are saved unto glory. He doesn't lose the people He redeems to glory! The hope of the glory of God is a confident assurance that in the future we will partake of the divine glory through His suffering. Oh, what a great and wonderful reality!

Please continue reading verses 1-11 of the fifth chapter of Romans.


We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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