A brief outline to keep in mind the flow of thought in Romans so far.

It’s all about the good news of God, the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes

God’s wrath is being revealed against godlessness and wickedness of people

They do not glorify God or give thanks, and their thinking is futile and their foolish hearts darkened.

God gave them over to sinful desires, shameful lusts, and depraved minds.

Wicked people invent ways of doing evil, and approve of those who do evil.

You religious people are no better, judgment is coming, whether you break the law (of Moses) or your God given conscience.

Everyone is sinful, and wicked. The law shows us our wickedness. No one can do anything to save themselves.

Romans 3:21–24 NIV

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Justified freely means it cannot be earned. It is a gift, a credit put on your account. Even Abraham was saved by God’s grace through faith. God gives righteousness as a credit, not a wage, for all who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Today, we are picking up here, with Paul describing the gifts we receive as a result of this gift of salvation.

Romans 5:1–11 NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 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! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:1 NIV

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

The Gift of Peace

example of Paul in the storm

Romans 5:2 NIV

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.

The Gift of Grace

standing condemned, to standing in grace

Romans 5:2 NIV

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.

The Gift of Hope

Hope that He will be glorified! He will triumph over evil. He will bring vengeance and punishment where needed. He will show His righteousness, justice, and love.

Hope that we will share in His glory! We will be done with these bodies of flesh, and will be clothed in righteousness!

Romans 5:3–4 NIV

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

The Gift of Joy

Suffering is not to be endured because it is just what is going to be. A fatalistic attitude is not what we have a Christians. Rather, we know that God uses the sufferings of this life for our good!

Romans—Righteousness From Heaven Justification-Exultation ( Romans 5:1-11 )

This past year has been the most difficult year of my life. My wife has been through five major surgeries, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy. I am thankful that I now know she is going to make it. During the same year, I suffered the loss of several key staff teammates whose moves were very guided for them, but a source of pressure and uncertainty in my work. Problems which I could have tackled with gusto under normal circumstances seemed to loom in all directions. Discouragement lurked around every corner, trying to capture my feelings. Prayer was no longer a contemplative luxury, but the only way to survive. My own intercessions were multiplied by the prayers of others. Friendships were deepened as I was forced to allow people to assure me with words I had preached for years. No day went by without a conversation, letter, or phone call giving me love and hope. The greatest discovery that I have made in the midst of all the difficulties is that I can have joy when I don’t feel like it—artesian joy.1

He uses what we go through to produce perseverance, character, and hope.

The Gifts of Perseverance, Character, and Hope

Job 23:10 NIV

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

1 Peter 1:6–7 NIV

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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.

The Gifts of Love and the Holy Spirit

poured out - abundantly!!

perfect - past action with ongoing effect

Holy Spirit:

indwelling, sealing/guaranteeing, baptizing, gifting, filling, teaching, guiding, assuring, praying, sanctifying

Paul goes on to show the depths of God’s love and what it gives to us.

Romans 5:6–8 NIV

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

rom 5.6 - powerless, ungodly

Romans 5:9–10 NIV

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

Romans 5:11 NIV

Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

What about me?

Do I recognize the gifts God has given to me, not just salvation from my sin, but what I need for life here and now?

Do I boast in God?