Romans 05 Application

Romans 5, Justification gives many benefits

Summary of Principles from Romans 5

Tod Kennedy November 16, 2014

1. Justification by faith has been demonstrated in Romans 3-4. It is now the basis for Paul’s further teaching (Romans 5.1).
2. There are two positional results of this justification by faith. 1. Peace with God right now which is a lack of hostility because sin has been judged and God has removed the barrier of sin. This, of course, has results in the Christian life but the main idea here is judicial peace. 2. Access from now on into God’s grace in which we stand. This grace is for 1) forgiveness and everlasting life, 2) grace for living, and 3) grace for dying. These are true of those justified by faith no matter what a believer may do after he is justified (Romans 5.1-2).
3. There are three exults or be glad about or boast about in this chapter. First, in Romans 5.2, we can boast, take pride in the confident expectation that we will experience God’s glory in the future. We will see Jesus Christ face to face. We will experience heaven and all the glory of heaven. See Philippians 2.16 for somewhat similar idea. Second, in Romans 5.3, we can exult, boast, take pride in tribulation that we experience because we know that tribulation works spiritual benefits. Tribulation is trouble that inflicts distress, oppression, inward and outward pain. Tribulations are the springboard to spiritual growth and increased hope. See 2 Corinthians 12.9 for a similar idea. Third, in Romans 5.11, we can exult, boast, take pride in our relationship with God because we have been reconciled. See Galatians 6.14 for a similar idea of boasting because of what God has done for us.
4. Confidence that God loves us prevents disappointment (Romans 5.5). Paul writes that our hope will not shame or disappoint us because God’s love for us has been poured out or given completely into our hearts (inner person) through the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit now lives in each believer.
5. Jesus Christ died for all people—people who were and are helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. He died in our place (Romans 5.6,8,10). This is the biblical doctrine of substitution.
6. Jesus Christ reconciled us to God through his death for our sins. This is justification salvation (Romans 5.9a). This means he removed the sin barrier that separates God and mankind. Mankind has the opportunity to have relationship with God (Romans 5.9a,10a,11). Furthermore, we will not face God’s wrath when he judges unbelievers in the future. This is glorification salvation (Romans 5.9b).
7. In addition to that, we shall be delivered (saved from the authority of sin) by our union with Christ in his death to sin and his resurrection kind of life. This refers to the Christian life, also known as the biblical doctrine of sanctification or sanctification salvation (Romans 5.10b).
8. The one sinful act of Adam caused all mankind to die because all people descended from Adam and so were in him. When Adam sinned we sinned. Paul means physical death in this context, but he recognized that spiritual death is behind the scene (Ephesians 2.1). Relationship to Adam—> sin, condemnation, and death is contrasted to relationship to Christ—> righteousness, justification, and life. There is a solidarity, a unity. Therefore redemption is the story of two men: Adam and Christ. Adam is the sinful man who brought sin into the world of humanity by his choice to disobey God—he did not believe that what God said is best. Jesus Christ brought reconciliation into the world of humanity by his choice to substitute himself for our judgment and offer the free gift of forgiveness by grace through faith (Romans 5.12-16).
9. Sin reigned in death; grace reigned to eternal life. Jesus Christ our Lord made it happen. The human race has a natural and physical unity in sin and death based on Adam. And the human race who has believed the gospel has a spiritual unity in righteousness and life through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5.17-21).
10. Justification based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ comes to those "who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5.17).
11. The Law made sin more obvious, but even though sin increased, grace always was there to pay for the sin (Romans 5.20).