Romans 5

 Romans 5:8
God demonstrates (Strong's 4921: To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; to stand with; To be composed of, cohere) His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

GOD DEMONSTRATES: This is how God showed us His love for us. He makes His love relevant. His love (agapen) is personal. It is affectionate. It is without cost and cannot be earned.

While "I" was "STILL" a "SINNER".

"STILL" = actively sinning.

•  Not when I was good enough.
•  Not when I prayed enough.
  
•  Not when I read the Bible enough.
  
•  Not when I went to church enough.
  
•  Not when I joined the right church.

Jesus Christ died 2000 years ago. I had not committed a sin 2000 years ago, yet Christ's death 2000 years ago covers my sins committed in 2021. WOW!

Jesus Christ not only died for the sins of the believers but He also died for the sins of those who will never believe. You might think "what a waste" but in reality it is "what an opportunity".

Romans 5:9a
Since we have now been justified by His blood.

What does justified mean? Strong's 1344 (dikaiothentes) to render just or innocent.

The words JUST and JUSTICE are the roots of justified.

Just = we are viewed as being right (fair) in our actions.

Justice = fair treatment for our actions.

We are aware that neither of those 2 words apply to us 100% of the time so therefore we are not just, we do not act justly, we do not practice justice. 

Jesus Christ, on that cross 2000 years ago paid our debt. He made us just.

Now once this is explained to people they generally are good with it. Who doesn't want a "get out of hell free card"? And this is as far as many people's relationship with God goes. How sad when God offers so much more.

Romans 5:9b     
much more we shall be saved from God's wrath through Him.

MUCH MORE Strong's 3123 More, rather.  

Even more than being made "JUST", by Christ's blood shed  2000 years ago; by His blood we are saved from God's wrath

wrath = Strong's 3709 properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence): by implication punishment. 

There is a strong implication that the wrath of God is a form of justice that will be carried out if the justice imparted by Christ's death 2000 years ago is not applied.

JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, IT MUST.

What is Gods wrath?   Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death.

Wages = Payment for services rendered.  AGAIN: "PAYMENT" for "SERVICES RENDERED".

What services have you rendered to sin?  How much wages have you earned while sinning.

Notice that our salvation from our wages of sin is 100% through Christ. He made us RIGHT - JUST in God's perspective.  OUR DEBT HAS BEEN PAID.

Romans 5:10a    
"For if when we were ENEMIES of God."

Did you ever feel that you are God's enemy?  I never did, but that is what those who do not follow Christ are.

Matt. 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Many want to add religion to their lives. Yes they believe in Him but to follow Him, all the time. I'll follow Him on Sundays. 

You cannot love the world and love God at the same time. 

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.

You cannot sit on the fence. THE DEVIL OWNS THE FENCE.

Romans 5:10b     

"We are reconciled to Him through the death of His Son."

RECONCILED: what must you have had to be reconciled?

A RELATIONSHIP.

Through the death of His Son (Jesus Christ) we have the opportunity to RECONCILE with God. We have the opportunity. But with all reconciliations, it takes both parties to be willing to reconcile. God because of what Christ paid is willing, are you?

When Christ cried from the cross, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me." (Matt. 27:4)  At that very moment all sins, all murders, all violence, all cruelty, all evil, every wicked thought or action, all man's vile natures were poured upon the only man who was never cruel, violent, evil, wicked or vial. The only man with a truly loving nature, at that moment willing took on all the depravity of man. 

No wonder the scripture says, "how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation" Hebrews 2:3.

THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU WANT TO RECONCILE? 

DO YOU WANT TO REESTABLISH A RELATOINSHIP WITH GOD? 

Romans 5:10c 

"How much more having been (even more than) reconciled shall we be saved by HIS Life. (Jesus's resurrection)" 

Even more than being justified.

Even more than being reconciled.

WE ARE SAVED BY WHOSE LIFE? 

CHRIST'S RESSURECTED LIFE.

We are saved eternally by Christ's eternal life. 

Christ rose so He could ascend to the Father and send the Helper, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. 

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient (advantageous) for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not com unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus died to save us from our due wages of sin so we can be reconciled to the Father (reestablish relationship) and saves us by rising from the dead and sending the helper to help us choose reconciliation. 

Ironic: we can't even begin to think that we need to reconcile with God until God initiates the thought.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of the very thing, that He who has begun a good work (reconciliation) in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.