Rom 5

ROMANS 5 - Peace and hope

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** When we come to Christ, He not only forgives us of our sin, but He also justifies us; the apostle Paul explained justification in his letter to the Romans <L120>

• Salvation has to do with what takes place in believers’ hearts, but justification has to do with our standing before God

• In salvation, God gives us new life, but justification goes beyond that

• When God justifies us, He declares us righteous in His sight

• God not only forgives us, but He sees us as if we had never sinned

• He removes our sin, and in its position, He places the perfect righteousness of Christ

• When God looks at believers, He doesn’t see people who have failed Him time and time again. Instead, He sees His Son

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

Romans 4:6-8 NIV

[6] David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

** God justifies us at the moment of our regeneration <B26>

• Beware: Catholic theologians decided that God’s justification of the sinner happens at the end of one’s life

• This teaching provided the church with the means to control the lives of its members from birth to the grave

• As a result, Catholics can never be sure of their salvation since their final destination depends upon their obedience as well as adherence to the church’s sacraments up to the time of last rites

Titus 3:4-7 NIV

[4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

• The belief that one can lose their salvation, or walk away from their faith, reflects the Roman Catholic understanding of justification, which regards it as a process that’s not fully settled until death

• Scripture tells us a much different story

• When God justifies the sinner the moment they repent and believe in Him, He declares that person not guilty of all his or her sins, past present, and future

• God, who is not bound by time, looked at our entire life and declared us not guilty of all our sins

• For all of us in Christ Jesus, our justification is a done deal

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

** Access to Christ and our hope in Him is part of our 'legal standing' as believers <F60>

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

** Everyday the enemy tries to entice believers to ignore and even harm their relationship with Christ

• Believing in Jesus and accepting his sacrifice allows believers to experience God's grace and presence

• Satan hates the fact that believers have access to God and will do everything in his power to stop them from growing and thriving in their faith

• He wants to keep believers from living abundant, fulfilling, difference-making, holy lives

• To this end, the enemy will set traps with scenarios that exploit their weaknesses and go against God <L120>

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

• To guard against the enemy's attacks, followers of Christ should introspectively discern where they have a weakness that leads to sin <M1501>

• Then be ready to repent when falling prey to that weakness, with resolve to combat it in the future

• This process of sanctification will ultimately deepen the believer's relationship with their Father while advancing a holy fulfilled life

1 Corinthians 11:31 NIV

[31] But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

** Justification by faith is what separates biblical Christianity from all other belief systems. In every religion, and in some branches of what is called “Christianity,” man is working his way to God. Only in true, biblical Christianity is man saved as a result of grace through faith. Only when we get back to the Bible do we see that justification is by faith, apart from works.

The word justified means “pronounced or treated as righteous.” For a Christian, justification is the act of God not only forgiving the believer’s sins but imputing to him the righteousness of Christ. The Bible states in several places that justification only comes through faith (e.g., Rom 5:1; Gal 3:24). Justification is not earned through our own works; rather, we are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8; Titus 3:5). The Christian, being declared righteous, is thus freed from the guilt of sin.

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 3:24 NIV

[24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---

Titus 3:5 NIV

[5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

Justification is a completed work of God, and it is instantaneous, as opposed to sanctification, which is an ongoing process of growth by which we become more Christlike (the act of “being saved,” cf. 1 Cor 1:18; 1 Thess 5:23). Sanctification occurs after justification. <G72>

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

[18] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

[23] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

** We can experience everlasting hope and overwhelming peace when we believe in God and commit our lives to Him; it is by His grace we stand justified

• The very first benefit of the believer’s new relationship with God that Paul mentioned was ‘peace’

• Paul lets us know we have gained access to God’s grace and our future is filled with joy because our future is sure <R1795>

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

** There is only one requirement to be saved: CALL on the Lord Jesus — believe in Him, commit your life to Him, repent of your sin – and He will save you <G72>

• Whoever trusts in Jesus Christ by believing in Him will be saved; there’s nothing complicated about God's plan of salvation

• The Bible plainly teaches that we don’t have to do any work to be saved (Eph 2:8–9)

• Calling on the name of the Lord is not an act that saves us but it is God’s grace saves us through faith; we can’t earn salvation by any means

• The grace of God is the source of our salvation; it is our faith that makes this possible. We only have to call on God in faith to receive His salvation

• From this time on, we call on the name of our Lord and Savior as long as we live (Ps 116:2)

Acts 2:21 NIV

[21] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Acts 16:31 NIV

[31] They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Psalm 116:2 NIV

[2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

** As Christians in these end days, we are called to ‘occupy’ until Jesus returns. Sure, our ultimate hope is in the return of Christ but we are still to live and operate in our world.

Being part of the Restraining Force against evil involves pushing back (even politically) against what Satan is trying to push on us, as well as leading others to Christ and making sure non-believers understand the tenants of salvation along with the reason for our actions.

To those who say Christians should not get involved and simply obey the government at all times in order to ‘be a good witness’, we need to be encouraged by the multitude of God’s people in His Word who bucked the system and paid a price:

• Daniel (thrown into the lion’s den)

• Moses (standing before Pharaoh)

• Paul (imprisoned)

• Ruth (risking life)

• prophets (ridiculed)

• Christ (who stood before Pilate)

• disciples (many killed), etc

Therefore, being a good disciple in these days involves BOTH pushing back and helping lead others to Christ; one typically involves or spurs the other!

Acts 5:41-42 NIV

[41] The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. [42] Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Romans 5:1-5 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 8:17-18 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. [18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Philippians 1:29 NIV

[29] For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him

Psalm 116:15 NIV

[15] Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

2 Timothy 1:8 NIV

[8] So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

1 Peter 2:20-21 NIV

[20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

** As a believer in Christ, do you have a deep profound calm upon your spirit? Are you afraid of Him or afraid of meeting Him on Judgment Day? <S185>

• Since we have access to God by faith, all children of God should be wanting to draw near to Him as a dear child to a loving father

• Anyone who does not have this deep-seated peace may not be justified by faith

Romans 5:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

** Katergadzomai is the Greek term for ‘working out’ which entails the object of the thing that will produce something else

• In this way, we don’t work for salvation and avoid legalism of thinking we need to produce works

• There is no such thing as receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and not doing anything with it

• Some will go further than others but everyone who decides to follow Christ is saved

• Some will THINK they made the commitment but they are living a lie <B23>

All believers will show some evidence of salvation, such as:

• Love for the word of God

• Personal prayer and worship

• Fellowship with other believers

• Sitting under the instruction of God’s word

Philippians 2:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling

Romans 5:3 NIV [tribulation produces patience]

[3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance

Romans 4:15 NIV [law produces wrath]

[15] because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

1 Corinthians 7:10 NIV [godly sorrow produces repentance]

[10] To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

** Being justified in Christ can provide comforting perspective in the midst of our suffering; in this way, suffering can produce ultimate hope, with additional prayer perseverance and character

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

[3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

** Suffering produces in us what is needed for the believer in Christ to 'make it in this life' to reach our eternal home <F60>

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

** Everything that happens to the Christian is directed and overruled by God's special Providence for his good! The experience may be very bitter, it may lay him very low and try him to the core; it may keep him in the dust for a long time. But it will do him good, not only in the end, but while it lasts.

Believer: your present trial is for your good. Nothing could be better for you! You may not see it now; you may even feel as if you never could think so, but the time is coming when you will bless God for it.

You love God and God loves you with an infinite and eternal love! You came to the cross as a poor sinner, and you looked to the Lord Jesus to be your perfect Savior. This proves that you have been called according to God's purpose. You are one of God's beloved ones, and as such, you may have the assurance that all things will work together for your good!

• Light and darkness

• Health and sickness

• Hatred and love

• Prosperity and adversity

• Life and death

Dark clouds bring rich blessings, and sharp winters introduce fruitful springs. Even so, sore troubles often precede the sweetest consolations. Your present affliction is working for your good.

• Sickness of body

• Trouble of mind

• Bereavements

• Losses

• Crosses, or whatever else

It will work for good in the future, and it is working for good now. While your heart is bleeding, and you are tempted to think that all is against you — all is working together for your good!

Dear Lord, I do not see how my affliction can be good for me. But help me, Lord, to accept it as such by faith, so that I may receive what You have for me through it. <S183>

Romans 5:3-4 NIV

[3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

** People who attend western churches are typically not told that suffering can lead to personal growth and righteousness <D40>

• Instead, pastors teach all ways to AVOID suffering -- don't rock the boat, don't be controversial, stay in your lane, don't take any controversial stance, don't confront evil, avoid pain at all costs, etc

• Most people protect their modern idol of COMFORT at the expense of knowing God's Word and following the Holy Spirit's lead <E58>

• Western congregants are typically robbed of the Christian's call to suffer

• With the correct perspective, suffering should move attention off ourselves and onto God

• God then has opportunity to show He can/will provide for us; we learn to listen and trust Him in the process

• Let's face it, our view of God is too small so He wants to show us that we serve an immense and amazing God!

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

** The chastisements of Christ are precious to those who believe. The believer's love to Jesus Christ, not only continues under the rod of correction but is quickened and increased by it! Thus it is distinguished from that pretended love, which exists only in times of prosperity. The afflicted Christian is enabled to consider that whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives; and that He only afflicts us for our profit to make us partakers of His holiness.

The Lord can so manifest Himself to His afflicted people, that the season of affliction shall be to them a season of great consolation. He is to them a fountain of life, of strength, of grace and comfort in the afflictive hour; and of His fullness they receive, as their necessities require. The Lord Jesus Christ is a sun to enlighten and cheer His afflicted followers, and a shield to defend them. He is a hiding-place from the storm, a covert from the tempest, and as the shadow of a great rock in a dry and weary land.

All the afflictions of God's people are designed, under His gracious management, to test, to make manifest, and to exercise, those graces and virtues which He has implanted in them. Though afflictions in themselves are not joyous but grievous, nevertheless they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness in those who are exercised thereby.

Afflictions serve to quicken the spirit of devotion in us; and to rouse us from that formality and indifference which frequently attend a long course of ease and prosperity. We are constrained to seek God with sincerity and fervor, when His chastening hand is upon us — since we then feel our absolute need of that help and deliverance, which He alone can give us.

When the loss of any temporal enjoyment casts us into excessive despondency and dejection, it is evident that what we have lost was the object of our inordinate love. The most innocent attachments cease to be innocent, when they press too strongly upon us! To cleave to any created object and to look for happiness from it, is to make an idol of it, and to set it up in God's place. Should this object be a friend, a brother, a wife, or a child — the idolatry is still odious in the eyes of that God to whom we owe our chief affection. Our warmest passions, our most fervent love, desires, hopes and confidences should always have God for their object. It is His desire that our happiness should not center in any of the good things of this life.

Losses and disappointments are the trials of our faith, our patience, and our obedience. When we are in the midst of prosperity it is difficult to know whether we have a love for the Benefactor, or only for His benefits. It is in the midst of adversity, that our piety is put to the trial.

Afflictions serve most effectively, to:

• Convince us of the vanity of all that this world can afford

• Remind us that this is not our rest, and

• Stir up desires and hopes for our everlasting home

They produce in us a spirit of sympathy towards our companions in tribulation. They give occasion for the exercise of patience, meekness, submission, and resignation. Were it not for the wholesome and necessary discipline of affliction, these excellent virtues would lie dormant. Afflictions serve to convince us more deeply of our own weakness and insufficiency and to endear the person, the grace, the promises, and the salvation of our Redeemer, more and more to our hearts. Thus we are taught to esteem His very chastisements as precious — on account of the benefits we derive from them.

Afflictions are not to punish, but to purify the believing soul. They are not in wrath, but in mercy. Amidst the distresses and miseries of life, it is a felicity to belong to Christ, without whose permission and appointment, no evil can befall us! He always sends afflictions for our good; and knows by experience, what it is to suffer them. His kind hand will speedily put an end to all the pains we feel when we have derived from them all the good which He intends to do for us, by them. <F62>

Romans 5:3-4 NIV

[3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.

** Do we live out the gospel in our everyday life?

Philippians 1:27 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Our lives should reflect how the Gospel impacts us in at least three ways: <C31>

1. We have the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God

• We can never earn status with God on our own, but it is a gift from God

• We can be perfect before God; we do not need to try to keep up or earn His approval

• It is vanity to think we can attain and work toward righteousness

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:9 NIV

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Romans 6:18 NIV

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Galatians 3:5 NIV

[5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

2. We have the FORGIVENESS of God

• All sin is washed away — past present & future

• We must forgive others otherwise we are not living in the gospel

• Living the gospel means we are forgiven even when we mess up, so we don't have to live in fear

• Trust in the salvation we have; do not doubt

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 3:13 NIV

[13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 2:13 NIV

[13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

3. We have the LOVE of God

• We do not have to perform to be loved by God

• Actions should be motivated by His love for me

• We don't deserve God’s love yet we experience it; in turn we live similarly with those around us

Romans 5:5 NIV

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 8:35-39 NIV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** God can get the attention of His people through a series of miracles and, as we know in New Testament times, working on the hearts of listeners

Exodus 4:1-9 NIV

[1] Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The Lord did not appear to you'?” [2] Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. [3] The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. [4] Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. [5] “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers---the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob---has appeared to you.” [6] Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous---it had become as white as snow. [7] “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. [8] Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. [9] But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”

Romans 5:5 NIV

[5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

** Suffering is part of our walk with Christ and everyone can relate to it because of sin in our lives

WHY LORD?

• The Bible gives us perspective

• Suffering starts in Gen 3 where God administers it to Adam and Eve because of one sin

• We all would have done the same as Adam

• Sin brought suffering, separation from God and eventual death

• We voluntarily left God through sin and we see the result of this today in our world

• Because of sin we deliver ourselves into the hands of the enemy

• Sin creates sin; suffering increases

• Our sin affects others; we cannot prevent collateral damage

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PERSPECTIVE

• We believe we suffer, but Christ suffered the most even though He did not need to because He was perfect

• Our sin caused Christ's need to die

• Look at what we reap from God's suffering: love, mercy, peace, hope, reunited with God, Holy Spirit within, eternal life with Him

• Knowing Christ's suffering and the love He demonstrated, helps us through personal suffering

• God is working in a plan to remove all suffering for all time!

• In the meantime we recognize it is temporary and we must endure, even in the toughest times like Nazi prison camp

Romans 5:6-9 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

HELP LORD!

• There is a natural tendency to seek answers, which lends itself as a perfect opportunity to share the Gospel

• We need to come to terms with our mortality

• Like the time after 911, people came to church seeking answers

• We learn that God is ALWAYS there

What we should do:

1. Feed yourself with Scripture; God often speaks to us through Scripture

2. Hold fast to God's character; He leads, guides, protects, is consistent,

3. Prayer must be the cornerstone; pray as though your life depends on it; God wants to hear from you!

4. Stay in community with other Christian believers but realize they can only comfort you, not fix the problem

5. Ask yourself whether we are softening or becoming harder during suffering?

YES, LORD

• Embrace the fact that God has a plan and purpose for your suffering

• He brings us good and God gets the glory; only God can bring something good out of worst of circumstances

• Like Joseph's reaction to his brothers, knowing what they intended for harm God used for good

• His ultimate purpose is to transform us more like Christ

• We need to ask "What should I learn through my suffering?"

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Reasons of suffering:

1. Job grew to understand God in a better way, what God wanted to teach him in the process

2. God uses suffering to reveal the glory of God

3. Suffering allows us opportunity to trust God and hang on to our Rock and Salvation

4. Having a Biblical view of suffering (knowing and understanding Scripture) helps us bear life's difficulties

5. Suffering has a purpose that we should seek

6. Suffering is a place to find intimacy with God, where you would not otherwise

7. God gets our attention through suffering

8. We can find refuge and hope in the shadow of His wings

9. Embracing suffering moves you to a Christ-centered life, like Paul whose testimony magnified because he embraced suffering and learned more about Christ through it <C31>

** Jesus died on the cross for the whole world, not just a select few

• An available gift is not automatically effective until it is accepted

• Mankind must choose Christ’s provision of redemption; He is that gift for salvation <L120>

1 John 2:2 NIV

[2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

John 3:16 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

** If we would learn something of the vastness of redeeming love, we must consider the character and dignity of Him by whom it was manifested.

Had one of those holy angels who minister in the presence of God clothed himself with garments of humanity, and amid the most intense and indescribable sufferings, finished his earthly course on a cross, for the purpose of redeeming a race of sinners from everlasting destruction--how immeasurable would have been the benevolence displayed in such a condescending act! It must have filled us with amazement, and excited the strongest feelings of gratitude.

But how shall we express our admiration and praise...

• when we see Him whom seraphim adore, stooping from heaven to earth to encircle vile sinners in the arms of His mercy;

• when we see Him, who is infinite in power, and majesty, and riches and glory voluntarily placing Himself in the room of rebels on earth;

• when we see Jesus, the brightness of His Father's glory, stretched upon the cross, racked with the most intense pain of body and soul, and suffering for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God!

How amazing that He, who, by His infinite power, could have at once annihilated our rebellious race, or consigned us to everlasting punishment--should, for a season...

• divest Himself of His heavenly glory,

• visit rebellious earth,

• stoop so low in humiliation,

• become so poor,

• suffer so much,

• endure such a shameful, painful, and accursed death for the purpose of making vile sinners eternally rich, holy, and happy in the Paradise of God! <H97>

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV

[18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

** God’s timing is perfect; Jesus came to earth at the right time when it was possible to spread the news of the Messiah with Roman roads/transportation and Christ died ‘at just the right time’ <D40>

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

** The Tribulation and the punishment of Hell may seem cruel and unreasonable in our way of thinking, but always remember:

• We always experience consequence for the choices we make

• The most important choice we make will produce or result in either eternal pleasure or eternal suffering

• God loves us beyond measure and longs that we choose relationship with Him

• Christ left His majesty to come to earth to eventually suffer and die as punishment for OUR sin; the ultimate sacrifice for us while we were still sinners

• All God asks in return for His sacrifice is that we accept His offer of salvation and, as a result, follow His commands via a relationship with Him

• Christ gives us every opportunity to choose whom we will serve — either God or Satan

• Unbelievers will be given a last chance to choose God through the Tribulation period

Hebrews 11:24-25 NIV

[24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. [25] He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

John 15:13-14 NIV

[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

** Satan constantly throws distractions our way and sometimes we welcome them; Jesus knew His mission and wanted to follow God's perfect timing

• Peter misunderstood Jesus' purpose even though Jesus explained what needed to happen

• Peter rebuked God, not understanding what He was up to

• Peter was mistakenly following Satan's plan

• Do not compromise God's plan in your life, for the opportunity might not be available again

• You will be persecuted and tested; be faithful in your testing and hold firm in confidence

• God will provide what we need in order to accomplish His plan <C31>

Matthew 16:22-23 NIV

[22] Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” [23] Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Hebrews 3:6 NIV

[6] But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

** Even though God’s people rebelled against Him by building a golden calf, He still chose to be merciful and not destroy them

Exodus 32:9-11,14 NIV

[9] “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. [10] Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” [11] But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? [14] Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

• How awesome that we serve a God of mercy — followers who choose God can cry out to Him and reap reward for it

• We must recognize we NEED mercy because of our sinful nature

• We can experience new mercies every morning; thank God for them!

• As God gives mercy to us, we in turn should show mercy; pray for discernment to do so

• The tax collector recognized his sin nature and requested mercy

Luke 18:11-14 NIV

[11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people---robbers, evildoers, adulterers---or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' [14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

• Christ took on this price in New Testament days instead of inflicting it on us

• This demonstrates His ultimate character of love and mercy!

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

** Political parties are simply not equipped to handle the level of evil displayed in the world today <D40>

• The church is the only institution that should be willing to ‘go there’ to fight, but it mostly isn’t willing to offend anyone along the way

• Don’t put your hope in politics (which is mostly ‘greed personified’) to save us from this worldly mess, nor the media bias that promotes these political ‘solutions’

• No, the ONLY One who can save anything or anyone is Christ; period

• Best to stick to the Bible as the only plumb-line of truth and get our guidance through prayer and leading of the Holy Spirit

Psalm 116:4-11 NIV

[4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me! ” [5] The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. [6] The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. [7] Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. [8] For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, [9] that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. [10] I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; [11] in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

Romans 15:13 NIV

[13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

[10] He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

Hebrews 7:18-19 NIV

[18] The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless [19] (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

** The world pushes the message that “we need to be rescued from ourselves” because we are doomed to destroy ourselves unless there is outside intervention <S199>

• Christians say, “This is true. We need Jesus Christ who came to die for sinners (Rom 5:8) and to deliver people from the righteous wrath of God”

• How awesome that Jesus gives us eternal hope outside the bounds of this fallen world and beyond a creation that groans under the effects of sin (Rom 8:22)

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:22 NIV

[22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

** The man of the house must take headship or RESPONSIBILITY, not tyrannical authority

His duties are to:

• Protect — to defend against those who would harm his family

• Provide — working to put food on the table

• Guide — giving counsel and imparting life experience

• As a result, he will earn a level of trust or faith because he demonstrated love and responsibility; others will desire to yield to him

• Christ demonstrated this responsibility to His enemies by dying on the cross; because He did this, Christ is the head of the church and all authority is granted to Him <D40>

Ephesians 5:23-24 NIV

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

** An amazing statement: Christ died for the ungodly!

• The Pharisees chided Jesus for associating with sinners but this visual provides a reminder that Christ associates with whoever asks for mercy!

• While the Pharisee was self-confident in his self-righteousness, the tax collector (a representative sinner) cried out for mercy

• Those who feel self-justified have their eyes fixed on themselves, while those who acknowledge their sinfulness rely on God’s mercy for redemption <R1795>

• Christ died for sinners, not only those who consider themselves 'good'

• This makes Christ's love offering stand alone against every false religion that expects their followers to attain a level goodness <M130>

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Luke 5:27-32 NIV

[27] After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, [28] and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. [29] Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. [30] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” [31] Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 18:10-14 NIV

[10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people---robbers, evildoers, adulterers---or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' [14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

** Sin is removed from the sinner and placed on the Sinless! Their curse is rolled on Him and He endures it until no more remains! Their debt is placed to His account. His riches pay the full amount.

Jesus is His people's...

• substitute,

• burden-bearer,

• sin-remover,

• guilt-sustainer.

To redeem poor sinners, Jesus...

• came down from Heaven,

• put on the rags of our mortality,

• agonized,

• bled,

• died.

God deals with Jesus as the guilty one! <L121>

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

** Followers of Christ realize that Christ took on our punishment and died for us when we were absolutely helpless

• God's love for sinners is overwhelming, to the point of being willing to sacrifice His Son

• God justifies the ungodly who have faith

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

Mark 2:15-17 NIV

[15] While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. [16] When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [17] On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Romans 6:5 NIV

[5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

** In the cross of Christ, God's hatred to sin is manifested in the most striking light — and the evil of sin is exposed in the most dreadful colors! Now it appears, that such is the divine hatred against all sin, that God can by no means forgive sin, without punishment; and that all the infinite benevolence of His nature towards His creatures cannot prevail upon Him to pardon the least sin — without an adequate atonement.

What can more strongly expose the evil of sin than the cross of Christ? Sin is such an intolerably malignant and abominable thing, that even a God of infinite mercy and grace cannot let the least instance of it pass unpunished!

It was not a small thing which could arm God's justice against the Son of His love. Though He was perfectly innocent in Himself, yet when He was made sin for us, God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up unto death--the shameful, tormenting, and accursed death of the cross! <D43>

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

** Certainly the misery of man was very great, that man should need such redemption as this. Oh. what a breach had sin made between God and us, that the Son of God must come from Heaven to earth to suffer all this.

Mischievous sin has undone us. Sin has robbed everyone of six jewels, every one of which is of more worth than Heaven and earth. Would you know what jewels they are, which sin has robbed us of? I will tell you, and then you will agree that we were in a very miserable case indeed.

1. Sin robs us of the image of God. Was not this a precious jewel? I say, sin robbed us of the image of God, and drew the devil's picture in us.

Malice is the devil's eye,

oppression is the devil's hand,

blasphemy is the devil's tongue,

hypocrisy is the devil's cloven foot.

2. Sin robs us of our divine sonship, and makes us...

slaves to the devil,

slaves to sin,

slaves to the world,

slaves to ourselves.

This is another jewel we have lost.

3. Sin robs us of our friendship with God, and makes us...

enemies to God,

enemies to Christ,

enemies to our own souls,

enemies to all that is holy.

4. Sin robs us of our communion and fellowship with God, and makes us strangers and aliens to God.

5. Sin robs us of our rights and privileges of Heaven and heavenly things, and makes us children of wrath and heirs of Hell.

6. Sin robs us of our honor and glory, and makes us vile and miserable; as you may see in Isaiah 1:6, "There is no soundness in us, but only wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores."

Now sirs, put all this together, and then see whether or not we are miserable, and whether we needed a Savior to come and deliver us from this misery into which our souls were plunged. <D42>

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

** In giving Christ to die for poor sinners, God gave the richest jewel in His cabinet; a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value.

Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is! Ten thousand thousand worlds — as many worlds as angels can number — would not outweigh Christ's love, excellency and sweetness! O what a lovely One! What an excellent, beautiful, ravishing One is Christ!

Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one. Put all flowers, all fragrances, all colors, all tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness into one — O what a lovely and excellent thing that would be!

And yet it should be less to that loveliest and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain compared to all the seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths!

Now, for God to bestow the mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was. What kind of love is this! <S1997>

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 3:1a NIV

[1] See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

** Why does evil exist?

• God ordained evil for His own glory

• God is made infinitely more glorious because evil exists

• We praise Him because of what He has done to overcome evil!

“What was on display at the cross was the righteousness of God, in necessity of pouring out infinite punishment on an infinite Person who therefore had an infinite capacity to absorb all of humanity's sin in 3 hours”

• We would not know God's righteousness and we wouldn't know His mercy if He did not allow sin <M130>

• Doesn't God have the right to demonstrate His wrath as He does any other virtue?

• God puts his righteousness on display by the way He deals with evil.

Romans 3:5 NIV [God demonstrates His righteousness]

[5] But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)

Romans 5:8 NIV [God demonstrates His love toward us]

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 9:22 NIV [God demonstrates His wrath and mercy]

[22] What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath---prepared for destruction?

** Even before the creation of our reality, before the age of men and angels, a sovereign God looked down through the passageway of time and determined to Himself, the why and how to perfectly orchestrate the plan of redemption for mankind.

Thus, the universe in its totality, mankind’s shared history, the ever-persistent now, and the unknown future, are all equally foreknown to God. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is perfectly in control. He is perfectly in command of every molecule that floats through our existence. He knows every star by name. He knows the goings-on of every sparrow. He knows how many hairs we have on our heads. He knows the number of every hair of every head that has ever lived. He upholds the foundations of reality by His sheer willpower, without exhausting an ounce of effort. Nothing escapes His knowledge. No power, ruler, authority, prince, king, angel, demon, or ‘titan of industry,’ can bring anything to pass without His permission.

Even more incredible, is that God knows all this while still allowing free will.

He orchestrates events such that His word never returns void. What He has foreordained, will come to pass, even with men and angels acting after their own desires. The only thing I am aware of that God forgets is our sins when we come to Him for forgiveness. At that point, He casts our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He is all-knowing, yet, even knowing the worst of us, has chosen us for Himself while we were still enemies of the Cross (Rom. 5:8-10). We are not only chosen but become living stones precious to God (1 Peter 2:3-5). Lewis Sperry Chafer once said anyone can devise a plan by which good people may go to Heaven. Only God can devise a plan whereby sinners, who are His enemies, can go to Heaven.

Such is the greatness, perfectness, and unfathomable depths of our God’s mercy, sovereignty, justice, grace, holiness, wrath, and love. We (as a human race) know more about the seemingly infinite characteristics of outer space than we do about God. We only even know who God is, by what Scripture states, and yet, even words on paper cannot do justice to who God really is. As holy as some of us think we are, what would it be like to be in His presence? Most of us would consider the prophet Isaiah to be a very holy man, and yet, all he could muster was woe is me, for I am undone! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. (Isaiah 6:5)

Most of us would consider the Apostles (minus Judas) to be godly men. The Apostle John, having personally known Jesus, the Incarnate God, and even having been an eyewitness to Him glorified both in the Transfiguration (Matthew 17) as well as His post-Calvary appearances (John 20-21), fell as dead when seeing Christ in His true form (Revelation 1:17). Needless to say, our knowledge of Him, and even our personal encounters with the Holy Spirit, cannot fully prepare us for what lies ahead.

As far as man has advanced in knowledge, in every academic and technological arena we have at our disposal, we still cannot fathom the unsearchable riches of His grace. As the Apostle Paul recorded, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). It is simply too much for finite man, to fully wrap our minds around an infinite God. <G70>

Romans 5:8-10 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

** God will remove believers FROM the Tribulation and not simply help believers THROUGH the Tribulation, as some claim <K113>

Revelation 3:10 NIV

[10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 NIV

[10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead---Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

• Believers in Christ who are sealed with the Holy Spirit will not be here for the coming wrath of God poured out in the Tribulation <G71>

Isaiah 26:19-21 NIV

[19] But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise---let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy---your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead. [20] Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. [21] See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer.

Romans 5:9 NIV

[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV

[9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

** We run the risk of experiencing the wrath of God and being abhorred by God when we sin and do not follow Him

• As New Testament believers, we know we can accept His gift of salvation and fall into His loving relationship

• Quite the opposite will occur if we do not fear Him, accept His offer of redemption and abide in Him

Leviticus 26:30 NIV

[30] I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars and pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and I will abhor you.

Acts 4:12 NIV

[12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Romans 1:18-19,21-25 NIV

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, [19] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. [21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. [24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. [25] They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator---who is forever praised. Amen.

Romans 5:9 NIV

[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

** Jesus did not stop His work on the cross but promises to remain faithful to complete His work in believers until He returns <S185>

• Paying our sin debt was crucially important, but it was only a start; the same power of Christ remains at work in the believer's life today <D40>

• Jesus is alive and working in the lives of His children via the Holy Spirit

• Christ is with His followers every step of the way as they turn to Him while struggling with their earthly sin nature

• Christ is not only at work in each born again follower, but intercedes with His Father to ensure the believer's eternal future with Him <S193>

• Believers who look to God have abundant life, both present and future, because of Jesus' work on the cross and the Holy Spirit's work in their lives

Philippians 1:6 NIV

[6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:9-10 NIV

[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Matthew 28:18 NIV

[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

** Christ died to save us while we were His enemies and also desires to save committed followers from His wrath

Romans 5:9-10 NIV

** The human race is cursed because we are all born into original sin through Adam, therefore, no one can say they are ‘inherently good’; humans have potential to do good, but human nature is not inherently good <D40> <E58> <M132>

• Original Sin = the state of being that is rebellious to God

• Humanity's sin nature explains why people are the way they are

• Praise God He sent His Son, the second Adam, to make things right for those who choose to follow Him, for He paid the penalty for sin and save humanity from eternal death

• There are still consequences for sin, but eternal consequences are covered through the atonement made possible through Christ; death has been defeated!

• Those who do not believe in original sin won’t see the need for a Savior

• Therefore, according to those who believe they are inherently good, Jesus died and suffered for nothing

• Even Christians can have a difficult time accepting this concept of original sin, for they would rather 'wink at sin' and think their ‘goodness’ will be sufficient to save them

Romans 5:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

Psalm 51:5 NIV

[5] Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Romans 3:23 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Other considerations:

• Actual Sin = the act of conscious sin

• The fact that children don’t reach an ‘age of accountability’ until (somewhere in) their teen years, is the reason why the Catholic Church decides to baptize infants and the Protestant Church depends on God’s mercy to save those in this age bracket

• Jesus was born of the Spirit (virgin birth) and not by man; if Jesus was born through man, then He would be born into sin and could not be a Savior that would free man from sin

** You can search the Scriptures for years and never find that God promised a smooth and easy life once we give our life to Him. When Adam sinned, Paradise was lost and life in this world has been a struggle ever since. Of course, God told Adam what would happen if he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He chose to eat the fruit and death became a reality.

From Adam on, life has been a struggle. Disease, rebellion to God, and death, have plagued humanity for thousands of years since Adam’s disobedience. He knew the consequences of his actions, but ate the forbidden fruit anyway. We choose to sin, too, knowing full well the consequences.

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Much of the unhappiness and disease in our life is caused by our own choices. Is diabetes an issue in your life? Have you followed a healthy diet, or do you live on junk food? That’s a bad choice. Do you have lung disease? Do you smoke? Smoking isn’t a wise choice. Do you have a socially transmitted disease? Do you disobey God’s rule about sexual activity only being within a one man/one woman marriage? If so, then you’ve made your own choice. God will forgive the sin if you repent and turn away from it, but the consequences He may not heal. <G73>

Romans 1:20-23 NIV

[20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 5:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned---

** There are many typologies in Scripture (accounts that foreshadow future events) such as when God provided a substitute sacrifice for Abraham so he didn't have to sacrifice his own flesh and blood

Genesis 22:2-3,7-8,10-14 NIV

[2] Then God said, “Take your son , your only son, whom you love---Isaac---and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. ” [3] Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. [7] Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” [8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. [10] Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. [11] But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. [12] “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. ” [13] Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. ”

Another typology includes parallels between the accounts of Joseph and Jesus <G71> <B23>

• Both living in Egypt at a young age

• Both were sold as slaves for silver

• Both separated from their father for a period of time but the reuniting was awesome

• Both were stripped of garments

• Both betrayed by own brethren even though innocent

• Both betrayed because of truth shared

• Both going about business being righteous then falsely accused and enduring a mock trial

• Both being rejected by their own — sinless Christ rejected by His people the Israelites and Joseph being rejected after telling his family about his dreams

• Both leaders (Potiphar and Pilot) knew their innocence yet wanted to safe face

• Both ended up in a pit (Christ after His death) only to then ascend to the highest throne

• Both had to separate from their father in order to bring about salvation

• Both being a blessing to Israel and the Church

• Both dire situations are used by God to bring about salvation — from famine and sin

• Both Joseph and Jesus are the source of life — as Joseph was for Egypt, so Christ will be via the 144,000 testimonies and 2 witnesses during the Tribulation

• Both recipients of these men ONLY are blessed as a result through NO effort of their own

The 7 good years, when Joseph stored crops in advance of the 7 lean years of hardship and when he revealed himself to his brothers, finds its equivalent today when Christ is increasing Christian resources and will reveal Himself to Israel during the difficult days that lie ahead.

Resources being accumulated now before the soon coming times of tribulation include:

• Testimonies of those coming to Christ

• Left behind notes

• Videos on the gospel and

• Tools to help believers mature in Christ

I pray this Scriptural Journal is one of those tools He can use!

Genesis 37:5-10ff NIV

[5] Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. [6] He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: [7] We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” [8] His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. [9] Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” [10] When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”

John 8:19 NIV

[19] Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

Romans 5:14 NIV

[14] Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

** Jesus is equal to God in that He is worthy of honor; equality to God is important because it confirms God's intent to offer salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus!

John 5:23 NIV

[23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

Romans 5:15 NIV

[15] But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

** Everyone experiences death through one man Adam, while Christ provides life to all

Romans 5:18-19 NIV

[18] Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. [19] For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

** God’s law reveals sin and the extent of His grace; sin reigns in death for the unsaved but grace abounds for those justified in Christ

Romans 5:20-21 NIV

[20] The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, [21] so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

** It seems too many believers in Christ are looking for ways to continue living in sin so they feel better about themselves and their lifestyle. Remember that God will evaluate each of us on whether our AIM was to honestly please Him or please ourselves as we claim to belong to Him.

As Christians, we may try to live on both sides of the street unnoticed at the same time -- living a preferred sinful life while depending on God's grace to allow this. Let's face it, we're deluding ourselves to think we can play this game without consequences.

Sure, we will be saved eternally for our belief in Christ but will suffer severe consequences for continuing to live in sin.

Instead of choosing to live in sin, why not AIM to please the One you claim to love by living according to what He outlines in Scripture? Yes we're going to mess up occasionally, as all sinners do, but in the end God knows our heart/motives and whether we aimed to please Him or not.

Romans 5:20 NIV

[20] The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Romans 6:1-2 NIV

[1] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? [2] By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

** ABC of salvation <F60>

ADMIT you are a sinner: this is where Godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God

Romans 3:10,23 NIV

[10] As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

BELIEVE Jesus died for your sin, was buried and rise from the grave: this is trusting who Jesus said He was

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

CALL upon the name of the Lord: everyone eventually will so we either do it now or later when it’s too late

Romans 10:9 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

** 4S of salvation — the essential message of the gospel can be told via Romans (NT) for Gentiles or Isaiah (OT) for Jews; we need to know the bad news first before hearing the gospel good news <G77>

1. SINNERS: we are all sinners in need of redemption so we can spend eternity with Him in heaven

Romans 3:23 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 53:6 NIV

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

2. SEPARATED: sinners are separated from God

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 59:2 NIV

[2] But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

3. SUBSTITUTE: Christ died for us while we were still sinners, paying the price

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

4. SALVATION: we can be saved by believing in Christ as our Redeemer

Romans 10:9 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Isaiah 49:6 NIV

[6] he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

** 4R of becoming a Christian — for those who understand they need saving, they can become a follower of Christ <G77>

1. RECOGNIZE: that you are a sinner and need saving

1 John 1:10 NIV

[10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

2. REPENT: we need to express sincere regret for our sin; repentance without demonstration of it is dead

Luke 24:45-47 NIV

[45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV

[10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Titus 1:16 NIV

[16] They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

3. RECEIVE: we receive Jesus as a result

John 1:12 NIV

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God---

4. RESIDE & ABIDE: in Christ because apart from Him we can do nothing

John 8:31 NIV

[31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

Rom 5.

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