Romans 5:1-9

Romans 5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:

Faith has such wondrous power that it makes us rejoice even in trial; it helps Christians to be glad even in the midst of sorrow.

Romans 5:3. Knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

The more trial you have the more spiritual education you receive. You cannot learn the virtue of patience without tribulation, any more than a man can learn to be a sailor if he stops on shore: «Tribulation worketh patience;»

Romans 5:4. And patience, experience;

If you bear the trial patiently, it leaves the mark of its graving tool upon your spirit, and you thus become fashioned into an experienced Christian.

Romans 5:4. And experience, hope:

What God has once done, he may do again; and as he has shown us so much favor we may reasonably hope that he will show us more, and that he who has given us grace will give us glory.

Romans 5:5. And hope maketh not ashamed;

Our hope brings us courage, no longer are we trembling and diffident, but we feel like children do towards a loving father, we are happily, restfully at home with our God. « Hope maketh not ashamed; «

Romans 5:5. Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

When Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed the feet of Jesus with the very costly ointment of spikenard, «the house was filled with the odour» of it, and in a similar fashion the love of God perfumes every part of our nature.

Romans 5:6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.»

What a wonderful statement! «Christ died for the ungodly.» Yet it was no slip of the pen, for the apostle takes up his own expression, and preaches the following little sermon upon it:

Romans 5:7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

If a man is known to be sternly just, like Aristides, nobody would care enough for him to die for him.

Romans 5:7. Yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

For a benevolent man, a true philanthropist, a lover of his race, there are some who might say that they would die for him. Yet the apostle only says, «Peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.» It is not very likely, but it is just possible.

Romans 5:8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Certainly we were not «good» men, we were not even «just» men, but we are included in this black description «sinners»; and «while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.» He died for us as sinners, he did not come to save saints, but to save sinners; and it was for sinners that he died.

Romans 5:9. Much more than, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

This is a fine piece of argument, and strictly logical. If, when we were sinners, Christ died for us, will he let us be condemned now that he has washed us in his precious blood? Is it possible that, after dying for us, he will let us fall from grace, and perish after all? That will never be. Notice the same kind of argument again:

Romans 5:10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

There is a threefold argument here. If Christ died for us when we were his enemies, will he not save us now that we are his friends? If he died to reconcile us to God, will he not completely save us now that this great work has been accomplished? And as we were reconciled to God by Christ's death, shall we not much more be saved by his life? There are three arguments, and each one is sound and conclusive. The believer in Jesus must be eternally saved. If Christ died for sinners, what will he not do for believers, who are no longer enemies, but are reconciled unto God by the death of his Son?

This exposition consisted of readings from Romans 5:1; and 2 Corinthians 4:1; and 2 Corinthians 5:1.