Life Comes Through Christ – Romans 5

Joy:  You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #122.  Today we’ll read the 5th chapter of Romans together:  Death came through Adam and life comes through Christ.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

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Romans Chapter 5

Faith Triumphs

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The Justified Are Reconciled

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

Death through Adam and Life through Christ

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Closing Thoughts

This chapter explains why that little baby had to be born in Bethlehem as a real live human.  Our sin nature came through one man.  We don’t get older and start to sin.  We are born into that nature.  But because sin came through one man, so also salvation had to come through one man.  It makes so much sense….I feel like it explains so much.  While we were still sinners, He died for us.  We have been justified by His blood and saved through Him from wrath. 

We were helpless to save ourselves and so we can only boast in God through Jesus.  Verse 18 sums it up for us:  So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone.  I cannot easily wrap my head around such justice and love.  I have no choice but to go limp and surrender to what I know in my mind and heart to be true but what fights against the worldliness in this flesh.  There is a constant tension in us, isn’t there? 

Prayer

Let’s pray.  Jesus, I thank You that Your justice is true.  Thank You for giving us life through what only You could do.  Thank You for saving us from the judgement of sin that God has stored up for those who reject Your grace.  Holy Spirit, draw them to You.  Change their minds.  Help them to receive what You have so graciously given.  Amen

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.