Threrfore having been justified...

3/20/83

BBF

Romans 5:1-5

Intro:

Turn to Roman. 5:1-5)

- we begin a new section of Romans

- ch. 1-3:19 Man needs to be saved

- 3:20-4:25 Man can be saved

- by faith in Christ; Ab. Serves as the illustration

Ch 5 is the key to understanding Chps 6,7,8

Much controversy (confusion) on these chaps. – in order to understand them we’d better get clear what Paul is doing.

- Scofield- 7 results of justification in 1-11

most commentators follow suit - grocery list of results

in v. 12-8:13 sanctification

then 8:13-end of 8 back to justification (results and consequences)

the results are incidental – something bigger in mind

I believe that Paul is primarily concerned, from this point onward, to show us the absolute character, the fullness and the finality of the salvation which comes as the result of justification by faith.

If we really believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead our salvation is final, complete, absolute. Nothing can ever rob us of it!

This is Paul’s direction here.

He says, in beginning – the greatest trib. cannot shake us out of it

v. 6-11 because it is not of us but based on God’s character.

While we were enemies, Christ died for us – how much more as ‘sons’ will he faithfully love us and not forsake us if we fail.

Paul concludes 8:38,39

(have the foundation for understanding these verses and our great salvation when we come to them.)

this is how Paul begins ch. 5 – justified by faith…

“Therefore”

the whole secret of the Christian life is to know how to use the word “therefore”

- Christianity is in many ways a matter of logic and deduction Those who have shined most brightly – knew how

- Most failures can be traced to an inability to use this word

Paul begins to develop his structure.

# 1 If that is true … this follows

justified – “peace with God”

not just peace; Peace with God.

ill.) necessity of eternal security rightly understood

accepted, - rejected – etc. there is turmoil

natural man – enmity against God

Rom. 3:10-18

Romans 8;7 “the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God”

Eph. 2:3 “were by nature children of wrath”

Eph 4:18 “alienated from the life of God.”

Fears, hates,

ill. In one of H.G. Wells’s Gooks – a man whose mind was so tensed and strained that he was in serious danger of a complete nervous and mental breakdown. His doctor told him that the only thing that could save him was to find the peace that fellowship with God can give. “What!?” he said, “to think of that, up there, having fellowship with me? I would as soon think of cooling my throat with the Milky Way or shaking hands with the stars.”

There is a false peace

-fabricate a God of your own imagination and then be at peace with Him – no hell, etc.

the law brings up all the animosities (hates sin)

- can’t live with girlfriend

- holy in thought

- sends moral people to hell if they reject Christianity

“The sinner hides from God, the saint hides in God.”

Do you have peace with God?

Not peace, peace with God.

#2 Another consequence of being justified

v.2 Intro to grace in which we stand

Introduction ( ) regular word for ushering someone into the presence of royalty.

- regular word for the approach of a worshiper of God

- Jesus ushers us into the very presence of God

ill.) in Temple – Jew was kept from God’s presence by a veil.

Gentiles by outer court (Court of Gentiles ) a wall w/ a sign any Gentile beyond that point would be killed.

Jesus broke down the wall and tore down the veil.

What is found inside is pure grace

Not condemnation, vengeance, judgment

But undeserved, unearned, unmerited, incredible kindness.

What is this grace in which we stand?

(read 6:14) under law; God looked upon us not as children but rebels, lawbreakers

under grace; God looks at us in an entirely different way. Now He’s our father, He loves to see us come to Him – Sons ill. ) overreacting Mother

hymn says

“ Thou art coming to a King;

Large petitions with thee bring;

For his grace and power are such

None can ever ask too much.”

- We stand in grace - more accurately “stand fast, firm”

(Paul’s primary purpose is not to lay out results of justification but fullness, finality, completeness of salvation)

# 3 “ We exult in hope of the glory of God.”

We don’t use “exult” much

- delighted, boast, glory

ill.) Grandparent showing pictures of grandchild

something close to the center of their heart

favorite word of Paul

- tells us a great deal about the Apostle’s character and temperament

he always gloried in what he believed

- when he believed he was righteous by keeping the law he proclaimed it

- when he thought Christ was to be extinguished he led the persecution

- He was never a half hearted man

- When he finds something great he lets it be known; he glories in God and his greatness

Paul knew something, by experience, of what he spoke.

- Damascus Rd. experience

- II Corm. 12:1-10 vision of God’s glory in 3rd heaven

It became a dominant factor in his life

ill.) C.S. Lewis’ quote about being so glorious that we’d be tempted to worship each other

Look up Romans 8:18-21 Romans 8:18 ‘ For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.”

v. 19 for the anxious longing

Charles Wesley hymn

“Changed from glory into glory

Till in heaven we take our place;

Till we cast our crowns before Thee,

Lost in wonder, love, and praise!”

II Cor. 3:18

‘ But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…’

- this work of glorification has already begun in us.

- -that’s why we are ashamed of the way we live sometimes

- because we’ve tasted of the glory of God

- (Isaac Watts hymn)

“The men of grace have found

Glory begun below;

Celestial fruit on earthly ground

From faith and hope may grow.”

I Jn. 3:2,3’ Beloved now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that when He appears we’ll be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself just as He is pure.’

ill.) racquetball lesson

- notice how Paul jumps from justification to glorification

v. 1,2

also Rom. 8:29,30

You can’t divide Christ (take just. but not glor.)

It’s all or nothing

- this “hope” is not wishy-washy (wishful thinking)

Heb. 6:19.20

“This hope we have as an achor of the soul, a hope both steadfast and sure and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us…”

Are you delighting yourself in the hope of this glory?

You and I must know something of this glory if we are going to attract outsiders.

When Whitefield and Wesley beheld God’s glory, the churches were too small.

If you are not delighting in hope of the glory of God and would like to…

Paul’s prescription is very simple

II Cor. 4:17, 18 (look at it)

Looking too much at circumstances, newspaper, TV, at the world and its corruption

Col. 3:1 “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Concl. Effort of the will; discipline

Diligence in studying Scripture / meditation

Seek God, ask the Spirit to reveal God to you

Once you’ve caught a glimpse of God and His glory it will capture your affection

“ I exult in hope of the glory of God.”