Romans 5

Paul was raised up by God to be an Apostle to the Gentiles, yet the truth of what God revealed to Him is for all who receive Christ Jesus.  Also, Paul is the only Apostle  who expounds on what happened with Adam in regard to all men.  Then expounds on what happens when men receive Christ Jesus as we will see later in Chapter 5.

Last devotion we closed with Paul's statement concerning trials and tribulations. In verse 3, we glory in them.

It is important to distinguish between tribulations that we bring on ourselves versus the tribulations brought on by being a Christian.  Peter does this in his letter.  At the time both Paul and Peter lived, there was a great upheaval among the Jews that Gentiles could now be God's people.   We all know this.  And there was also great tribulation at that time happening in Rome, among those who were Christians.  Nero was in power - a severe maniac who did atrocious things to Christians.

This pressure of affliction is to me, probably more of what Paul distinguishes for he also was, before his conversion on the road to Damascus, part of the great persecution to Christians.  Remember he consented to Stephen's stoning, which I imagine gripped his heart deeply, after he came to know and understand Jesus Christ.  So when Paul talks about God's great mercies, it resounds throughout his entire being.

Yet even still, no matter what the tribulations and their cause, God can use them in this world in our lives - every kind and every sort.  And we can rejoice in all things for the promise is that we gain character, perseverance, and hope!  Hope in the Spirit of God who dwells in our hearts - verse 5.

And Paul reminds us in verse 6 that Christ died for the ungodly.  And in the previous chapters he clearly displayed that all men are shut up under sin - no exception.  In verse 7 he definitely points out and contrasts how one might die for a good person - but that Christ died for ALL the ungodly.

He did this because of God's love.  God demonstrates His love through Christ Himself.  Verse 9

Now verse 10 to me is SO important.  The smashing point is that if Christ's death reconciles a person (and he says also God did this while we were enemies) back to God because of His sacrifice, how much MORE shall one be saved by HIS LIFE.  This needs to be chewed on like a cow, swallowed, brought back up, swallowed again, then the process repeated again and again.

Why is this?

Next devotion we will say more about this in complete explanation.  And it is worse regarding man than just being sinners!

But let us look again at, "We shall be saved by His Life." (Verse 10)

Recently, we encountered another believer who is saying that a person is saved by baptism.  That one must be baptized, in order for God's salvation to be complete in a person's being.

It made me reflect on all the things I've heard ALL my life.  If one is "trying" to be secure in Christ by something we've done, said, prayed, or adhere to, it does not work.  It engenders fear.  These things that come "at" us though, are to cause us to search God's Word and Truth even more so, because if we do we are going to come out right where God would have us to be.

Now God's Truth will never make a soul unhappy.  God's Truth will do exactly what Jesus Christ said Himself, "The Truth shall make you free."  Free from what?  Well, first of all sin's power, and then free from bondage of all sorts, especially in the mind with tormenting thoughts of different sorts! 

God's Holy Spirit turns our "head" into one direction - to LOOK at Jesus Christ alone.  God works in us to "SEE" Christ's work on the cross - Christ's SOLE righteousness, His Person, His ALL, HIM, HIM, HIM.  

We are to trust in Him, not our flesh's ability.  Flesh will disappoint - He will not.  God calls us to exhort in acting out righteousness, but always to keep pointing and reminding one another to look at the Person who is the Source of Righteousness.  This is good news.  Paul will indeed address this later on.

In Romans 4, Paul just went through how one is imputed righteousness and we are told HOW.  In this Chapter, Christ's name is not mentioned until the end in verse 24, because Paul is paving the road with the word "FAITH."  All of Christ is being brought to us by God's grace - God's grace to the human race - nothing else.

He told us, by God's authority (because He is the author), that we are to follow the steps of Abraham in faith.  And remember,  Paul made the point that Abraham was "uncircumcised" when he was made "right with God."  In was through believing God that made Abraham a friend of God.  Circumcision was a seal - and it was God's idea!  Today, we DO after we believe God.  But God does ALL His part first - we will see more of this later on.

Yet Christ Himself actually DID something on our behalf.  We are believing what God says His Son accomplished.  We are not pulling "faith" out of a hat with no basis.  We are looking at Jesus Christ squarely and firmly with His understanding of ALL God accomplished through His dear Son for us.

And so it is worth pondering, "We are saved by HIS LIFE!"

Until next time!

Sue Gaither