A synopsis of Paul’s teachings in Chapters 3 and 4 is this: he is preaching a righteousness that comes by faith, not by the Law. As though he wasn’t clear enough in Chapter 3, he devotes Chapter 4 to extending and clarifying his arguments. Paul spends Chapter 1-3 telling his hearers that there is no hope for justification in outward circumcision, the Law, ignorance, genealogy, or anything other than the grace of God, given by faith.
At first read, the majority of Romans 1-3 can be a bit depressing. Those chapters cause you to see your own sin in the mirror and to see the depths of the evil of all mankind. NO ONE is good. NO ONE seeks God. Not exactly words we’d want to sing loudly with hands raised during a church service.
UNLESS!!!!!!!
Since last Tuesday night I have been pondering the words: grace, faith, hope, reconciliation and justification. I doubt I could pay you to read all of my thoughts here on this blog post so I’ll just summarize them this way: He did it all!!
As I read through Romans 5 this morning, I took a highlighter and found each word or phrase that illustrated what our Triune God has done for us and all that we have because of Him. Here’s a glimpse from verses 1-11:
We have been justified BY faith
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
We obtained access BY faith into this grace in which we stand
God’s love has been POURED into our hearts
CHRIST DIED FOR the ungodly
God SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR US in that while we were stills sinners, CHRIST DIED for us
We have been justified BY HIS BLOOD
[We are] saved BY HIM from the wrath of God
We were reconciled to God BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON
Here is the truth of my condition APART from God’s provision. I am broken. I only desire to please myself. I fear man more than I fear God. I seek the praise and approval of man more than I seek the praise and approval of God. I am an idol worshiper. I have no power to uphold the Law of God. There is no good thing in me; nothing worth saving, nothing worth loving. I would step over anyone if it meant more for me. Envy and pride influence my every word or deed.
That’s what Romans Chapters 1-3 reveal about me. But that’s not all they reveal! These chapters reveal that there is a righteousness that I now possess. A righteousness that was given to me by God. There is grace at work in me that is producing the obedience of faith. There is a Holy Spirit in me that wars against my flesh and turns my heart towards the things of God.
Now comes Chapter 5 to show me how I have obtained all this. By no working or goodness of my own, but by the hand of God and the work of Jesus Christ.
My peace with God was secured by another. My debt was paid by another. My freedom from sin and death was won by another. I did not and still do not deserve the mercy and salvation God extended. And that is why I worship Him!
So yes, NO ONE is good. NO ONE seeks God. NO ONE is righteousness. It is the awareness and acknowledgement of these facts, combined with the realization of all that Christ accomplished for us through His life, death, burial and resurrection that reveals the extent of God’s love and divine intervention on our behalf.
Truly all I have needed, God’s hand has provided.
As you read through Chapter 5, I pray that you will be reminded of the FREEDOM and LIFE that was won for you.
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