Romans 5 Part II

We emphasized the other day in verse 10 that we are saved by Christ's life.  In verse 11, Paul says:  "And not only that, but we rejoice also in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

 In the next verse 12, Paul uses the word, "therefore."  But he takes a good while to expound on that "therefore."  And it is powerfully wonderful.

So what does he explain?

1)         Through Adam, sin entered the world - not only sin, but death - spiritual and ultimate physical death.  Sin and death spread to ALL men.  No exceptions.

2)         In verse 13 Paul makes a note too that sin was in the world before the law.  Sin was not imputed to man until the law came.  He was not saying to me, that man did not receive or experience sin and death because there was no law; or, that man did not experience the consequence of sin - for in Genesis, we remember when Cain killed his brother, God pronounced him cursed and said that when he tilled the ground, it would not yield fruit.  And Cain answered and told God the punishment was greater than he could bear.

            Also, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of sin's depravity.  So what does Paul mean - that sin is not imputed when there is no law?  What speaks to me is after the flood (when God sought to destroy the world except for Noah and family, because of the depravity and grave evil), God set the rainbow in the sky as a covenant.  This is the first act of grace with God revealed to man.

            God spares us from the Law judging us because of grace - AND because of His covenant of love and mercy.  When God makes a covenant, as He says, He swears by Himself an oath to Himself.  And God can and will never lie.  This is why grace AND covenant are so powerfully wonderful and secure.  If we look to God's promise instead of the Law, we have hope in His love and grace.  If we look to the Law, we will ALWAYS  be condemned!  It will REVEAL lack, failure, falling short.

            Therefore, if it is based on God and the promise He makes, man can be secure and fuel hope.  If it is based on man's performance to God in himself, he cannot ever be secure.  We run from God and are distant when we feel or are condemned! 

BUT God keeps ALL His promises and covenants!

3)         So Paul in verse 3 is saying that though God does not impute sin when there is no law, he goes on to use the word, "nevertheless," meaning that sin and death still has the same affect on all men.  Which makes sense.  If one is governed by sin's power, no matter how one dresses himself up, the same affects are going to take place in that person's life, because sin and its power, is not a respecter of persons!  This is why when certain people argue that they are loved by God in the state of their sin - that God made them that way, they have not understood they are speaking out of two sides of their mouths.

            They are "trying" to find something in themselves to "clear the deck" with God so they can continue to live out sin's power, obviously having  a strong hold on them.  When Jesus Christ comes in, He brings resurrection Life with Him, because He IS Resurrection Life.  Paul is going to show us later that the Lord's life in us, causes one to REIGN, not be under SIN's power.  Well glory!

 4)         And now Paul opens the door for us to what I feel, are some of the most beautiful Scriptures, in verses 15 through 17.  He is using the words, "free gift."  Then he expounds on just exactly what this free gift is in Christ Jesus.  Jesus Himself IS the free gift!

            I don't know about you, but something that is free means there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING I have to do with it.  Today, when a telemarketer calls you and says you've won a free trip, I hope you roll your eyes up in the back of their sockets and think, "Oh yeah, right!"  Because it's always a lie.  There's nothing free about the world giving you something free!  There is always a catch!  You know the drill - by the end of the conversation they need a credit card number, or there is one small fee, etc.

            This is why people including us Christians have a hard time "believing God."  It is because we have not fully detached ourselves from the world.  We continue to put trust in men as though they have full purity and integrity.  I think what I have learned is to be surprised when men keep their word and appreciate it, and not shocked when they don't!

             As for Christians, we are called to be conformed to the image of the Son of God, so for sure, God  is working in us to make sure we are no liars either!

I want to save the verses that talk about the FREE GIFT until next time.  That is, because they are so powerful and wonderful to explore and think about.  If one can get a hold of what God has provided in Christ Jesus, including myself, we really discover just how blessed we are, beyond measure!  

"Thank you, God for your unspeakable gift in Christ Jesus.  Teach us the depths of your grace, love, and mercy through Him.  Open our eyes of understanding and indeed, we give you praise, rejoicing, and glory for all You have accomplished in Him for us!  Amen!"

Sue Gaither