Thanks for tuning in today. We are going to continue with our study of Romans chapter 5. But before we get started I want to thank God for allowing me to have both my parents in my life.
Yesterday was my mom’s 86th birthday. My mom is my rock and I am grateful for her loving kindness and giving spirit that have influenced my life. Despite all the disappointments and hurts that I have caused her in the past she still loves me unconditionally, and I love you Mom.
Today we’re going to finish chapter 5.
Romans 5:15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
The one man’s trespass refers to the original sin of Adam that brought death to everyone who came after him.
The free gift is the grace of God that is made possible through Jesus’ death on the cross. He took our place on that cross and paid the price for our sins. All who trust in Christ will receive this gift, rather than facing death because of Adam’s introduction of sin into the world.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
I think it’s important to add a definition for Grace.
According to Wikipedia God’s grace is defined as a spontaneous gift from God to people – “generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved” – that takes the form of divine favor, love, clemency, and a share in the divine life of God. It is an attribute of God that is most manifest in the salvation of sinners.
God’s generous and undeserved Divine favor should not be taken lightly. But yet many people do. I can’t understand why we are quick to accept a free gift from a friend, yet when God gives us Grace, many will reject it.
Romans 5:16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.
Out of one sin came God’s condemnation.
Adams’ one transgression changed everything. But the free gift that is freely available after a multitude of sins brings about justification.
Romans 5:17 If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
We have the gift of eternal life. The Christian Life is based on that hope.
That there is more to life than just living and dying. Death is not the end. That is why we can have hope for an eternal future. So that at the end of this life we have something to look forward to. We can have peace in the knowledge that we will be with Jesus now and always.
1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Jesus spoke the following verses to Martha after Lazarus had died and her heart was heavy over the death of her brother.
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
The question was directed to Martha, but it could very easily be directed to you or me.
There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Not by good works, Church attendance, charitable contributions, or other Church ministries.
We can’t earn our way into heaven. Accept the free gift and be grateful for God’s mercy upon us.
Romans 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Jesus was obedient to the point of death.
Through his death and Resurrection we can be declared righteous. Adam’s disobedience brought sin into an unblemished perfect world.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
The old man is no more.
We have become New creations as we walk with Jesus. God gives us a clean slate.
Romans 5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Through the law sin became magnified.
It made us more aware of our sinful nature. Once the seriousness of sin became magnified God’s grace took on even more meaning in our lives. We saw the need for the Savior. We saw that we were sinful creatures and lost without God.
The last verse that we’re going to read sums up everything we just read.
The gifts of God are all bound up in this one verse.
Romans 5:21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God has given us the gifts of Grace, righteousness, and eternal life.
We should be giving him thanks and praise and glorifying his name for that amazing Grace. Accept his gift and live. Live a spirit-filled life and not a life of carnal desires. Live for the Savior. Jesus loves you and so do I. Don’t hesitate to make a decision about your eternal future. Remember, we’re not promised tomorrow.
I’d like to thank you for listening today and as always may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with those that need to hear it.