RESTORED RELATIONSHIP
Romans 5:1–11, 18–21
A New Peace (1–5)
Chapter 5 begins with a summary of Paul’s previous teaching about justification by faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone.
Justification is a right legal standing with God. It is an assurance of our eternal home in heaven and the blessings of sonship in this life.
The peace of which Paul speaks is not feelings-based. It is the objective reality of the cessation of hostilities brought about by the atoning death of Jesus on the cross.
Because we are at peace WITH God, we now experience the peace OF God!
Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the presence of Jesus Christ in the midst of conflict.
Paul goes on to state that because of Jesus’ death, we also have access to God.
When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from heaven to earth, and the dividing wall between God and man was demolished.
If that weren’t enough, we have a glorious hope for the future despite our sufferings.
Peace with God takes care of our past. Access to God takes care of our present, and “hope of the glory of God” addresses our future. Hope is not mere wishful thinking. Biblical hope is confident assurance in the promises and character of God.
A Proven Love (6–11)
Verse 6 refers to “the right time,” echoing the “completion” of time that is mentioned in Galatians 4:4. On God’s cosmic calendar, the time of Christ’s redemptive mission “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10) had been written “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). (See also Rev. 13:8.) It was a settled fact in heaven that Jesus would come as the sinless Lamb of God to pay the price for mankind’s sin. Jesus’ death on the cross was required for our redemption. His sacrificial death demonstrates God’s love for mankind and the cost of our redemption. Jesus took on our sin and the full, holy response of God’s wrath against sin. It’s not that God was our enemy; we were His enemy.
Reconciliation happened at the cross. Sinful man and holy God were brought together. A bridge was built across the chasm of sin by Jesus’ sacrificial, vicarious and atoning death. Take some time to thank God for His love in action!
A Growing Grace (18–21)
A recurring theme in Paul’s writing is the contrast between the first Adam and the second Adam (Jesus). Jesus came to undo the damage done by the first Adam’s disobedience. “For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive!” (1 Cor. 15:22).
In verse 17, two “reigns” are contrasted. Under Adam, death reigned. However, those of us in Jesus Christ are those who have received God’s abundant grace and will “reign in life.” We don’t need to wait until the “sweet by and by” to enjoy the blessings of life.
In verses 20–21, the law and grace are contrasted. Grace has always been God’s plan. God gave the law to Moses in order to show us our need for God’s grace. When the law revealed sin, it increased our understanding of our failure. At the same time, however, the grace of God abounded even more!
Have you thanked God for His abundant grace demonstrated in the death of Jesus Christ for you?
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
