Romans 5:6-11

My running socks

MAIN IDEA: Is the presence of the gospel fresh in your life?

The presence of the gospel covers our weaknesses at the right time

Romans 5:6 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Let’s continue being good Bible students. Because of verse 1, we know that verse 6 is talking to believers. Verse 9 reminds us of this truth.

I want begin with verse 5. Look at the word, suffering. Some versions say tribulation. It’s the word that was used when olives were squeezed for oil or grapes were squeezed for juice. There was a pressure that seemed to squeeze the life out of them, but the result was something was extended its life and was enjoyed by many.

As much as the olive or grape wasn’t left to be the same, it’s also true for us. On the outside, it might look like the olive or grape was weakened or destroyed. The inner content provides something very beautiful.

Look at verse 6.

“For while we were” can mean a few different things. First, it can mean that we represent something. If you wear a work uniform or a name badge with a business logo, you represent that organization. Same type of situation. Second, it can mean that we exist.

“Still” translates as a contrast.

In this verse, “Weak” has a relationship with a sickness. Our context from verse 5 would indicate that our character has a sickness.

We could read this phrase as EVEN THOUGH WE EXIST, OUR CHARACTER IS WEAK, SICK, WITHOUT STRENGTH OR HELPLESS. At the perfect time, Jesus died so we live a life that is more than just existing. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The specific moment Jesus died on the cross was, according to Levitical practices was the right time. The specific moment that you and I surrendered our life to Jesus Christ and asked for the free gift of salvation was the right time.

I think the presence of the gospel covers our spiritual weaknesses more than twice. People have character vulnerabilities and relapses that need to be covered by the gospel, sometimes repeatedly before those things are no longer part of our lives. “Prone to wander Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it.”

Wandering happens, often without us knowing it. Wandering from the Lord weakens our character.

People have physical weaknesses that have nothing to do with sin and don’t lead to sin, but we need to gospel to cover those weaknesses.

People have emotional weaknesses that absolutely need the presence to gospel to carry us through them.

A beautiful aspect of the gospel is the Lord brings the right thing in our life at the exact perfect time.

The presence of the gospel does things that we are hesitant to do.

Romans 5:7–8 “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

righteous - a person who is walking with Christ.

good - a person who is generous

If we were to spiritualize this verse a little, we would come to some thoughts about Christ as an equal opportunity love-giver. We would come to some thoughts about how there are generous people in the world who are not walking with Christ. We would come to some thoughts about how people can have an appearance of being good, but are spiritually empty. We could come to some thoughts about how we are often hesitant to surrender to the work of righteousness in our life. We could come to some thoughts about how we might be hesitant to lovingly encourage another person to surrender to the same work.

The presence of the gospel transforms and sanctifies.

Romans 5:9–11 “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Enemies - judicial enemy not a temperamental enemy

Look at the progression. We were enemies. At the time of salvation, were were reconciled. As time passed, we were rejoicing in the Lord. We continue to receive reconciliation.

Do you experience a freshness of Jesus Christ daily or is your relationship with Christ more like an item stuffed in the back of the refrigerator?

Present the path to salvation concisely and clearly!!! Today can be your day to know Jesus personally.