Bible Passage: Romans 5:1-11; Hebrews 10:19-22
Memory Verse: Romans 5:2
Objectives:
Memory Verse: Romans 5:2
Objectives:
- To understand the benefits of salvation
- To desire to continually appropriate all the benefits of your right relationship with God
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God promised to make righteous those who believe in Jesus Christ. God has many blessings for believers to enjoy right now because we belong to Christ.
But many believers do not enjoy these blessings that are theirs in Christ. Instead they live like beggars when actually they are rich. They need to accept and use the riches which God has promised them. Romans 5 tells us about the blessings which every believer can expect to experience because he has been justified by God through Jesus Christ.
I. BLESSINGS OF JUSTIFICATION (Romans 5:1-5)
A. Peace with God (5:1)
Many people today are talking about wanting peace. Many of us say we long for peace in our home, our neighborhood, our town, our country, the world. God says we can have peace but that it must start in our relationship with Him (5:1).
The cause of all trouble is the sin in our hearts. And sin is rebellion against God. But when we turn from our rebellion and come to Jesus for salvation, God declares that there is now peace between Him and us. He accepts us as His children because the Lord Jesus has taken away our sin. We no longer need to fear His wrath on us because of our sin, but can expect to receive His forgiveness.
B. Access (5:2a)
The word “access” means “the right to enter.” It gives the idea of being introduced in the proper way to an important person.
For example, if a person wants to see the president of our country, he cannot just go to the President’s office and expect to walk right in. He will have to make proper preparation. He must apply to the right authorities, get letters of reference, and dress properly. Only then will he gain “access” to the president.
Question: According to Hebrews 10:19-22 where does one who has faith in Jesus have the right to enter?
By faith we now can come right into the presence of God because of Jesus Christ. No human priest or saint is needed to help. Every believer is acceptable to God because he is dressed in the righteousness of Christ and can come in His name (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 16:23, 24).
Every believer has the privilege of daily fellowship with God because the Lord Jesus has paid for and forgiven all his sins (1 John 1:7).
A son is not afraid to go into the presence of his father. We need not be afraid to go into the presence of God because of our new relationship with Him (1 John 3:1, 2).
C. Joy (5:2b, 5, 11)
1. In the hope of the glory of God (2b)
Three times in this chapter Paul says, “We rejoice.” God has planned that His salvation should bring us joy.
Question: What can we rejoice in according to 5:2?
“The glory of God.”
Question: What glorious things has God prepared for us in the future?
Question: What is Jesus doing now concerning this place where we will one day live? (John 14:1, 2)
The hope of living with God forever is the great joy of the believer. Death is not the end of everything. There is another life which will go on for eternity.
Question: If this hope of sharing God’s glory in the next life should bring joy to the believer, how can we experience this when we feel discouraged?
Question: What does Paul tell us we are to always think about in Colossians 3:1-4?
We should think of heavenly things and living with Christ forever.
Question: Why is it so important for us to think often about living with Christ forever? How are we influenced by what we think?
If we concentrate on our troubles, we will be discouraged and even become disobedient. But if we think about the wonderful things God has prepared for us, we will rejoice and be encouraged to be faithful.
2. In our sufferings now (5:3-5)
Our joy is not only in the future.
Question: What can a believer rejoice in right now? (5:3)
Question: Why is this possible? (5:3-5)
When we come to the Lord for salvation, we come in hope that He will make our character like His, full of love and goodness and perseverance.
Question: How is this kind of character developed? (James 1:2-4)
No person can become a mature Christian without suffering. This is a principle of life. Trials are needed to develop Christ’s character in us. Therefore, we will rejoice when we remember this. It is God’s love that allows these trials in order that we might become strong in faith and perseverance.
Question: What kind of trials does God allow?
They may be outward: a difficult neighbor, a problem child, a problem in the home, lack of funds, illness. They may be inward: not being accepted by others, a feeling of insecurity, fears, nervousness, loneliness. According to Paul, all these are allowed into our lives for our good, to build our confidence and hope in Jesus Christ as our Savior Who can meet every need. Therefore, we should rejoice (5:3).
Question: If trials are for our good, why do we complain when they come? Why do we wish they weren’t so hard?
The problem is that we are forgetting God’s purpose in troubles. We are only looking at the problem and how hard it is for us. Instead, we need to think how God can use it to make us more patient and holy.
Because God loves us, He allows these trials. He uses them to change us into what He wants us to be. If we remember this, we will rejoice in His care for us. We will rejoice that He is like a father who cares for His children and so disciplines them to make them good.
Several years ago there was a Christian woman who as a child was given everything she wanted. She was encouraged to say whatever she wanted. She grew up to be very self-centered and with an uncontrolled tongue.
God cared about this woman so He allowed her to marry a man who was hard to please. Her husband was very critical of her words. He got angry when she did things in her own way.
The mother of the husband also lived with them. She, too, was continually criticizing her daughter-in-law’s words and actions. One of the helpers in the home treated her in the same way. These all often shamed her before her friends until most of her friends stopped coming to visit.
This was a very hard trial for this Christian woman. For several years she suffered under the bad dispositions of these closest to her. She was very lonely because she had no one in whom she could confide except the Lord.
But gradually she learned to let Christ control her tongue and her actions. She learned to be patient and loving even to those who were unkind to her. She learned to trust the Lord with every difficulty. Then those who had been so hard on her also became changed and were more loving.
Later, after her husband and mother-in-law died, she became greatly used by God to lead others to Him. She could help them because of what she had experienced with God through her years of suffering.
Question: According to verse 5, who is with us in our trials? What is He doing?
This is another reason why we can rejoice. We are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, pouring God’s love into our hearts. This gives the Christian inner strength which those in the world do not know or understand.
3. In God (5:11)
Our hope of glory is a joyful one. We can rejoice also in suffering if we know its purpose is to make us like Christ. But our greatest joy is in God Himself.
God wants us to enjoy Him. He wants us to rejoice in His love which has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Our relationship with the Lord Jesus should be one of great joy as we abide in Him (John 15:11).
II. THE BELIEVER’S SECURITY (Romans 5:6-11)
All these promises of peace, joy and hope would be meaningless and impossible without the absolute assurance of God’s love and power to do what He has promised. In the next verses Paul shows why we can be sure that God has given us complete and eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.
A. In what Christ has done by His death (5:6-8)
First, Paul shows the greatness of God’s love in sending Christ to die for us when we were still sinners. The most precious thing a man can give for another is his life. It shows great love when a man will give his life for a friend. This sometimes happens in time of war. It is a gift which can never be forgotten.
Question: But Christ did something more. For whom did He give His life? (Romans 5:8, 10)
Christ gave His life for sinners. This is something that a person does not do naturally. It shows the depth and greatness of God’s love for us, and the value He puts on us.
This truth has become so familiar to most Christians that we don’t really appreciate what it means. We need to think deeply about Christ’s love for us as shown through His death, until our hearts are filled with love in return. We need to think about how precious and important our friendship is to Him. He gave His life to make it possible.
B. In what Christ will do by His Life? (5:9-11)
After showing God’s love for us as sinners, Paul goes on to his main argument. If God loved us that much while we were still His enemies, this is proof that He will do even more for us as His friends.
1. Saved from God’s wrath
As God’s children, we do not need to fear that we will go back under His wrath again (5:9). Some Christians do not enjoy their salvation because they are constantly fearing that God’s wrath might return on them when they commit sin.
Paul discusses later the problem of sin in a Christian. But here He wants us to know that we can have the assurance of being saved from the wrath of God. This is because our confidence is based on what Jesus Christ has done for us, not on what we have done. When we sin, we can have confidence that God will deal with us as His children and forgive us when we repent, because Jesus has paid the penalty.
2. Saved by His life (5:9)
We know Christ died for us when we were still His enemies. Therefore, we can be confident that He will give us as His friends all we need to live the Christian life.
For example, suppose a couple adopts a child who is an orphan. The child has no right to their affection and care, yet they make him theirs. Later on he becomes sick and needs expensive medicines. Will these foster parents refuse the help he needs because they have already done so much him? Of course not. If they loved him when he wasn’t even theirs, how much more will they care for him as their beloved son.
This is the way God deals with us who believe in Him. He loved us as His enemies, and He continues to love us as His children. He is ready to give us all the blessings that are ours because we belong to Him. He is only waiting for us to claim these gifts and use them. This will bring much joy to our lives.
But many believers do not enjoy these blessings that are theirs in Christ. Instead they live like beggars when actually they are rich. They need to accept and use the riches which God has promised them. Romans 5 tells us about the blessings which every believer can expect to experience because he has been justified by God through Jesus Christ.
I. BLESSINGS OF JUSTIFICATION (Romans 5:1-5)
A. Peace with God (5:1)
Many people today are talking about wanting peace. Many of us say we long for peace in our home, our neighborhood, our town, our country, the world. God says we can have peace but that it must start in our relationship with Him (5:1).
The cause of all trouble is the sin in our hearts. And sin is rebellion against God. But when we turn from our rebellion and come to Jesus for salvation, God declares that there is now peace between Him and us. He accepts us as His children because the Lord Jesus has taken away our sin. We no longer need to fear His wrath on us because of our sin, but can expect to receive His forgiveness.
B. Access (5:2a)
The word “access” means “the right to enter.” It gives the idea of being introduced in the proper way to an important person.
For example, if a person wants to see the president of our country, he cannot just go to the President’s office and expect to walk right in. He will have to make proper preparation. He must apply to the right authorities, get letters of reference, and dress properly. Only then will he gain “access” to the president.
Question: According to Hebrews 10:19-22 where does one who has faith in Jesus have the right to enter?
By faith we now can come right into the presence of God because of Jesus Christ. No human priest or saint is needed to help. Every believer is acceptable to God because he is dressed in the righteousness of Christ and can come in His name (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 16:23, 24).
Every believer has the privilege of daily fellowship with God because the Lord Jesus has paid for and forgiven all his sins (1 John 1:7).
A son is not afraid to go into the presence of his father. We need not be afraid to go into the presence of God because of our new relationship with Him (1 John 3:1, 2).
C. Joy (5:2b, 5, 11)
1. In the hope of the glory of God (2b)
Three times in this chapter Paul says, “We rejoice.” God has planned that His salvation should bring us joy.
Question: What can we rejoice in according to 5:2?
“The glory of God.”
Question: What glorious things has God prepared for us in the future?
Question: What is Jesus doing now concerning this place where we will one day live? (John 14:1, 2)
The hope of living with God forever is the great joy of the believer. Death is not the end of everything. There is another life which will go on for eternity.
Question: If this hope of sharing God’s glory in the next life should bring joy to the believer, how can we experience this when we feel discouraged?
Question: What does Paul tell us we are to always think about in Colossians 3:1-4?
We should think of heavenly things and living with Christ forever.
Question: Why is it so important for us to think often about living with Christ forever? How are we influenced by what we think?
If we concentrate on our troubles, we will be discouraged and even become disobedient. But if we think about the wonderful things God has prepared for us, we will rejoice and be encouraged to be faithful.
2. In our sufferings now (5:3-5)
Our joy is not only in the future.
Question: What can a believer rejoice in right now? (5:3)
Question: Why is this possible? (5:3-5)
When we come to the Lord for salvation, we come in hope that He will make our character like His, full of love and goodness and perseverance.
Question: How is this kind of character developed? (James 1:2-4)
No person can become a mature Christian without suffering. This is a principle of life. Trials are needed to develop Christ’s character in us. Therefore, we will rejoice when we remember this. It is God’s love that allows these trials in order that we might become strong in faith and perseverance.
Question: What kind of trials does God allow?
They may be outward: a difficult neighbor, a problem child, a problem in the home, lack of funds, illness. They may be inward: not being accepted by others, a feeling of insecurity, fears, nervousness, loneliness. According to Paul, all these are allowed into our lives for our good, to build our confidence and hope in Jesus Christ as our Savior Who can meet every need. Therefore, we should rejoice (5:3).
Question: If trials are for our good, why do we complain when they come? Why do we wish they weren’t so hard?
The problem is that we are forgetting God’s purpose in troubles. We are only looking at the problem and how hard it is for us. Instead, we need to think how God can use it to make us more patient and holy.
Because God loves us, He allows these trials. He uses them to change us into what He wants us to be. If we remember this, we will rejoice in His care for us. We will rejoice that He is like a father who cares for His children and so disciplines them to make them good.
Several years ago there was a Christian woman who as a child was given everything she wanted. She was encouraged to say whatever she wanted. She grew up to be very self-centered and with an uncontrolled tongue.
God cared about this woman so He allowed her to marry a man who was hard to please. Her husband was very critical of her words. He got angry when she did things in her own way.
The mother of the husband also lived with them. She, too, was continually criticizing her daughter-in-law’s words and actions. One of the helpers in the home treated her in the same way. These all often shamed her before her friends until most of her friends stopped coming to visit.
This was a very hard trial for this Christian woman. For several years she suffered under the bad dispositions of these closest to her. She was very lonely because she had no one in whom she could confide except the Lord.
But gradually she learned to let Christ control her tongue and her actions. She learned to be patient and loving even to those who were unkind to her. She learned to trust the Lord with every difficulty. Then those who had been so hard on her also became changed and were more loving.
Later, after her husband and mother-in-law died, she became greatly used by God to lead others to Him. She could help them because of what she had experienced with God through her years of suffering.
Question: According to verse 5, who is with us in our trials? What is He doing?
This is another reason why we can rejoice. We are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, pouring God’s love into our hearts. This gives the Christian inner strength which those in the world do not know or understand.
3. In God (5:11)
Our hope of glory is a joyful one. We can rejoice also in suffering if we know its purpose is to make us like Christ. But our greatest joy is in God Himself.
God wants us to enjoy Him. He wants us to rejoice in His love which has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Our relationship with the Lord Jesus should be one of great joy as we abide in Him (John 15:11).
II. THE BELIEVER’S SECURITY (Romans 5:6-11)
All these promises of peace, joy and hope would be meaningless and impossible without the absolute assurance of God’s love and power to do what He has promised. In the next verses Paul shows why we can be sure that God has given us complete and eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.
A. In what Christ has done by His death (5:6-8)
First, Paul shows the greatness of God’s love in sending Christ to die for us when we were still sinners. The most precious thing a man can give for another is his life. It shows great love when a man will give his life for a friend. This sometimes happens in time of war. It is a gift which can never be forgotten.
Question: But Christ did something more. For whom did He give His life? (Romans 5:8, 10)
Christ gave His life for sinners. This is something that a person does not do naturally. It shows the depth and greatness of God’s love for us, and the value He puts on us.
This truth has become so familiar to most Christians that we don’t really appreciate what it means. We need to think deeply about Christ’s love for us as shown through His death, until our hearts are filled with love in return. We need to think about how precious and important our friendship is to Him. He gave His life to make it possible.
B. In what Christ will do by His Life? (5:9-11)
After showing God’s love for us as sinners, Paul goes on to his main argument. If God loved us that much while we were still His enemies, this is proof that He will do even more for us as His friends.
1. Saved from God’s wrath
As God’s children, we do not need to fear that we will go back under His wrath again (5:9). Some Christians do not enjoy their salvation because they are constantly fearing that God’s wrath might return on them when they commit sin.
Paul discusses later the problem of sin in a Christian. But here He wants us to know that we can have the assurance of being saved from the wrath of God. This is because our confidence is based on what Jesus Christ has done for us, not on what we have done. When we sin, we can have confidence that God will deal with us as His children and forgive us when we repent, because Jesus has paid the penalty.
2. Saved by His life (5:9)
We know Christ died for us when we were still His enemies. Therefore, we can be confident that He will give us as His friends all we need to live the Christian life.
For example, suppose a couple adopts a child who is an orphan. The child has no right to their affection and care, yet they make him theirs. Later on he becomes sick and needs expensive medicines. Will these foster parents refuse the help he needs because they have already done so much him? Of course not. If they loved him when he wasn’t even theirs, how much more will they care for him as their beloved son.
This is the way God deals with us who believe in Him. He loved us as His enemies, and He continues to love us as His children. He is ready to give us all the blessings that are ours because we belong to Him. He is only waiting for us to claim these gifts and use them. This will bring much joy to our lives.
*******
MEDITATION
God wants us to experience these blessings of our salvation now. We can do this as we commit ourselves more fully to Him who loves us more than we can ever understand.
- Am I enjoying these blessings of salvation in my life?
- Am I trusting too much in my own strength?
- Am I looking at problems instead of at God Who can help me to use them to grow in my Christian character?
- Am I thinking more about life here than about the wonderful future God has planned for those who love Him?
God wants us to experience these blessings of our salvation now. We can do this as we commit ourselves more fully to Him who loves us more than we can ever understand.
Source:
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2
Foundations of Faith (Romans 1-7)
PCEP Adult Bible Studies 2