Romans 5:1–11 - 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while 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 this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. What does today’s passage say? In today's passage, Paul explains that through faith in Christ, believers can rejoice confidently in the assurance of sharing God's glory (v. 2). We are to allow difficult circumstances to build godly character and unshifting confidence in God's help (vv. 3-5). We should feel ongoing gratitude for God demonstrating His love by having Jesus die on behalf of wretched sinners who were His enemies (vv. 6-8). Now declared righteous by Jesus' sacrifice, we know God has brought us into a peaceful relationship with Himself through Christ (vv. 9-11). How can I apply Romans 5:1-11 to my life? Today, Paul provides incredible truths about the blessings and benefits believers in Jesus possess because of His sacrificial death on our behalf. Followers of Christ have a secure hope of sharing in His glory, joy in the midst of sufferings, appreciation for Christ’s demonstration of God’s love, and confidence in the reconciliation provided to make us God’s children. As we explore principles from this powerful passage, may our amazement at the gospel overflow into praise and transformation. These promises give us strength to face daily challenges and remind us of our victorious position as recipients of grace. Through the work of Jesus which unleashed God’s desire to justify the ungodly, we receive supernatural power to live in a way that honors Him. As those declared righteous solely by faith, we can apply these motivating truths to our relationships, reactions, worship, service, and ambition. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
Rejoice in Our Hope of Sharing In God's Glory (v. 2): As Paul states, through faith in Christ we can rejoice in the confident hope that we will one day share in the glory of God. This future glory far surpasses any suffering we face now. We must fix our hope on the promise that we will be with Christ and know His glory rather than focusing on temporary hardships. Let us rejoice even now, boasting in God who secures this glory for us through Jesus. We can endure struggles today because our hope in future reward steadies us. God wants us to long for the day we will be with Him in glory since this gives us joy and motivation now. Though we fall short of His glory presently, we know Christ has brought us into a position of grace so we can rejoice in anticipation of the coming day. As adopted children of God destined to be glorified with Christ, we should indeed exult in this living hope which anchors our souls. The Holy Spirit within assures us that what God has promised, He will surely fulfill. So we wait with expectancy, not brooding over trials but glorying in expectation of the grace to come (1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Romans 8:17).
Food for Thought: What are you fixing your hope on each day? How can you boast more in the glory to come than your present troubles? How does reminding yourself of your future reward empower you to face difficulties with joy?
Allow Trials to Develop Your Character and Unwavering Hope (vv. 3-5): As Paul explains, God uses the difficulties believers face to produce character and hope within them. Rather than complaining when adversity comes, we can view these painful circumstances as opportunities for spiritual growth. Our steadfastness and endurance through sufferings result in proven godly character over time. The testing of our faith through various trials should lead us not to despair but to a surer confidence that God will sustain us. He works patient endurance and Christlike maturity into us if we submit under His mighty hand. Our living hope will not disappoint us because God pours out His love by the Spirit even in the furnace of affliction. Let us then trust Him to use trials to deepen trust in His promises. What we suffer now as His children cannot thwart His purposes to sanctify us completely. Hope triumphing over turmoil proves faith genuine (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:1-5).
Food for Thought: How can you see your current struggles as opportunities rather than obstacles? What spiritual fruit might God want to cultivate in your life through difficult experiences?
Rejoice in Christ's Sacrifice that Demonstrates God's Love for Us (vv. 6-8): God showed His love for us while we were ungodly sinners by sending Jesus to die in our place. We did not deserve this sacrificial offering, yet Christ submitted to the cross at the Father's appointed time to secure our redemption. Though humans might possibly sacrifice themselves for someone righteous, Christ went far beyond this in laying down His life for wretched people opposed to God. We must regularly reflect in astonishment that the sinless Son of God endured separation from the Father and wrath we merited in order to reconcile us. God demonstrated boundless love by justifying the ungodly based on Christ's shed blood. Since He supremely loved us when we were His enemies, we can rest assured nothing can sever us from His love now. Our sin necessitated Jesus' substitutionary death on our behalf. May we never diminish the gravity of what it cost the Son of God to save those dead in transgression (John 15:13, Romans 3:21-26, Ephesians 2:1-9).
Food for Thought: How does meditating on the cross increase your gratitude and devotion to Christ? What transformations need to occur because you now understand how God demonstrated His love for you?
Live Confidently Knowing God Has Reconciled Us to Himself (vv. 9-11): Because of Christ's death on our behalf, God no longer counts our trespasses against us but has brought us into fellowship with Himself. We need never doubt that the Lord has fully forgiven us and welcomes us as His beloved children. Justification and reconciliation were accomplished for us while we were still sinning against God. Yet while we were His enemies, He mercifully extended salvation through what Jesus accomplished at the cross. So we have even greater assurance that having been declared righteous, He will preserve us blameless. Now reconciled, we need not cringe in terror of God's judgment but can draw near Him without fear. The Holy Spirit assures our hearts before God as loved and accepted. Since He went to such lengths to restore peace when we were unworthy, how much more will He supply all we need as His friends! We can live with full confidence that our relationship is secure (Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 1:6, Colossians 1:21-23).
Food for Thought: How should understanding reconciliation transform your approach to God? What practical impact should God's love and acceptance have on your everyday life?
Through Jesus Christ, God offers us astonishing blessings like peace, hope, love, and reconciliation. What great mercy that while we were ungodly and opposed to Him, He brought us into His family! Now seen as righteous in the Beloved One, we need never doubt God’s full acceptance and future glorification. We can anchor unwavering confidence in His promises sealed by the Holy Spirit who lives within us. As we grow in grace, gaining greater comprehension of Christ’s sacrifice for us, may our gratitude overflow in devoted service to Him. Facing trials with perseverance allows God to sharpen our character and deepen reliance on Him alone. We who have received such extravagant mercy can surrender all the more fully. May we preach the gospel to ourselves daily through meditating on these truths so that Christ is magnified in our speech, choices, priorities, and reactions. As adopted heirs intent on bringing glory to the Father, we can confidently invest in eternal rewards rather than fleeting trinkets of this life. Our triumphant Savior is coming again so that we will finally know sinless perfection as we reign with Him. As we await that day, may we give all diligence to live holy lives that reflect our true citizenship in heaven.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray you would help me apply the truths from this passage to my life. I confess I often lose sight of all that Jesus did for me when I was still a sinner. Please give me greater thankfulness for your love shown through Christ's sacrifice that took the punishment I deserved. I do not deserve being called righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross. Help me show I am grateful by the way I live in obedience with hope, love people sacrificially, tell others about salvation through faith alone, and show compassion. I want to know more fully the greatness of Jesus' love so I can become more like him. I long for the day I will see Christ face to face an be changed to perfect righteousness. But until then, help me pursue holiness out of thankfulness for the mercy you have given me. I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.With His Blessings, Pastor Corby
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